A 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, has been rescued by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Owo, while her stolen vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who said the operation was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
According to the statement, the incident occurred in the early hours of June 23, 2026, when armed men reportedly stormed the victim’s residence in Owo, forcefully gained entry into the house and whisked her away at gunpoint. The assailants also fled with her Toyota Matrix vehicle bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.
Jimoh said the Divisional Police Officer of B Division, Owo, received a distress call at about 2:50 a.m. and immediately mobilised a team of officers to trail the suspects. The operatives subsequently tracked the gang to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where they engaged them in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“The police operatives, through a swift and coordinated response, successfully rescued the abducted woman and recovered the stolen Toyota Matrix. Unable to withstand the superior tactical strength of the police, the suspects abandoned their mission and escaped into the surrounding bush, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter,” the statement said.
The police added that a search of the area led to the recovery of two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to have been left behind by one of the fleeing suspects, and a torchlight, all of which have been taken as exhibits for investigation.
Jimoh stated that the case had been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further discreet investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending all members of the criminal gang responsible for the attack.
“The Commissioner of Police commended the courage, professionalism and prompt response of the officers who carried out the rescue operation. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Ondo State and assured residents that every effort would be made to ensure the fleeing suspects are arrested and brought to justice,” the statement added.
The police spokesman also appealed to members of the public to remain security conscious and continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious individuals, movements or activities within their communities, stressing that public support remains vital in the fight against crime.