The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a man abducted by armed assailants in Owo, following swift inter-agency operations involving the police and the military.
The victim, identified as Ali Kolade of Ijelu Quarters, Owo, was reportedly kidnapped from his residence by armed men who also robbed him and fled with his unregistered black Toyota Corolla.
Police sources said the incident was reported to the A’ Division Police Headquarters in Owo by one Major Tajudeen, who raised the alarm after the attackers struck.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised a response team in collaboration with military personnel, leading to an intensive pursuit of the suspects.
Although the abductors managed to escape during the operation, the victim was successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention before being debriefed by investigators.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, numbering six, robbed the victim of a Samsung handset, an Itel mobile phone, an iPad, the black Toyota Corolla vehicle, and transferred the sum of ₦1.47 million from his bank account.
The police said investigations were ongoing, with efforts intensified to identify, track and arrest the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the Command’s stance on crime, the Ondo State Police Command declared that the state would never serve as a safe haven for criminals, stressing that offenders would always be tracked down and brought to justice.
Residents were commended for their timely report and cooperation, while members of the public were urged to continue providing credible and actionable information to aid crime prevention and detection.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, praised the operatives for their prompt and professional response, noting that the operation reflected the Command’s improved capacity for rapid security intervention.
He also applauded the strong collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Military, describing it as a major boost to crime prevention and public safety across the state.
The Command further acknowledged the leadership and support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, whose reforms and technological initiatives were said to be enhancing policing effectiveness in Ondo State.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, as collective responsibility remains key to sustaining safety and security.