Officers of the Kwara State Police Command have successfully rescued the kidnapped monarch, the Onigbesi of Onigbesi community in Isin Local Government Area of ​​State, Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, and two other abductees.
His rescue followed a decisive security operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of Kwara State, during which one of the kidnappers was neutralised.
Newslodge recalls that the victims were reportedly kidnapped in Igbesi on August 22, 2026 and their successful rescue underlines the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives, protecting communities and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.
The operation began after a report from Mr. Abdul, a security guard, was received at the Oro Police Station at about 10am, revealing that one of his men had sustained a gunshot wound to the hand while in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.
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Acting quickly on intelligence input, the DPO, Oro Police Station, led a combined team of police officers, military personnel and vigilantes to the reported location.
Seeing the security team’s advance, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire during which one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralized, forcing the remaining members of the gang to flee into the surrounding terrain.
In a determined chase operation, the security team maintained pressure on the fleeing criminals and subsequently rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi and the other two kidnapped victims, identified as Maryam Abubakar and Aisha Ilyasu.
The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to a hospital, where they received medical attention and are currently safe, the command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, said in Ilorin on Thursday.
“The successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of sustained intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration and rapid operational response in tackling violent crime and protecting vulnerable citizens,” the spokesperson added.
The State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, commended the bravery, courage and professionalism displayed by the police officers and their cooperating security partners in bringing the operation to a successful conclusion.
However, the command has intensified its efforts to track, arrest and bring to justice the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang, while continuing fresh operations in the identified hotspots.
The Commissioner reiterated that there will be no safe haven for kidnappers and other violent criminals in Kwara State and called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.