Police rescue abducted herder, recover N2.2m ransom in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has successfully rescued a 50-year-old herder, Haruna Yusuf, who had been kidnapped, and recovered N2.22 million in ransom money. The operation also led to the arrest of one suspected kidnapper following a gun duel with the abductors.

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On 9th July 2026, the Command received information that one Haruna Yusuf, a 50-year-old Fulani herdsman residing in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village, along Gbongan/Ife Ibadan road had been abducted by four suspected kidnappers.

According to Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, the rescue was the result of an intelligence-led operation by the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU). Yusuf was abducted on July 9, 2026, by four suspected kidnappers near Wasinmi Village. Police operatives, working with local vigilantes, initiated a search, and the case was subsequently transferred to the VCRU's anti-kidnapping section.

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On 12th July 2026, the VCRU operatives on an intelligence-driven, co-ordinated operation was conducted in close monitoring of the ransom payment process to a designated drop-off point at Majeroku Area along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway.

On July 12, 2026, VCRU operatives monitored a ransom payment process to a designated drop-off point. Upon arrival, they successfully rescued the victim unharmed. The kidnappers opened fire upon spotting the operatives, leading to a gun battle. One suspect, identified as Usman Aliyu, 40, sustained gunshot injuries and was apprehended, while others fled. The recovered ransom money was also seized at the scene.

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The team ‎successfully rescued the victim unhurt. The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries, one was arrested, while others fleed.

In addition to the kidnapping case, Commissioner Gotan announced the arrest of three suspected cultists and ritualists in Iree. The suspects, aged 22 and 23, were apprehended following intelligence reports about criminal gangs terrorizing residents. A small coffin and local charms were recovered from them, and investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in ritual-related activities and identify other members of their network. Efforts are also underway to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang.

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The sum of Two million, two hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred naira (N2,217,800) was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransom.