Joint security team frees 17-year-old boy after suspected kidnappers abandoned him during a coordinated search in Oyo State

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued 17-year-old Daneri Alhaji Yaro, who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in Aladere Village via Ikoyi-Ile, near the Government Reserve Forest, following a swift joint security operation involving the police, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

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The Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Teenager operation began after the victim’s father, Alhaji Yaro Babuga, reported the abduction at the Ikoyi-Ile Divisional Police Headquarters shortly after the teenager was kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to launch a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised a combined team comprising police operatives, members of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters to the scene in a coordinated search-and-rescue mission,” the statement said.

The security team subsequently carried out an intensive search of the surrounding bushes and the adjoining Government Reserve Forest, mounting sustained pressure on the suspected kidnappers.

The police said the operation proved decisive, forcing the suspects to abandon the teenager and flee deeper into the forest.

“Consequently, the joint security team commenced an intensive combing of the surrounding bushes and adjoining forest.

The sustained pressure mounted by the operatives proved decisive, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee deeper into the Government Reserve Forest. The victim was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.

The command said intelligence-led operations had been intensified across the forest and surrounding communities to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“In a bid to ensure the apprehension of the fleeing suspects, the command has intensified ongoing intelligence-led operations within the forest and surrounding areas.

Investigation is in progress, while concerted efforts are being sustained to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the police said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the coordinated efforts of all security personnel involved in the operation, describing their collaboration as remarkable.

“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, commends the bravery, synergy, and professionalism exhibited by the police, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters during the operation,” the statement noted.

Olugbenga also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime through intelligence-led policing and stronger collaboration among security agencies.

“He reassures residents of the command’s unwavering resolve to sustain intelligence-led policing and robust inter-agency collaboration in the fight against violent crime.

“The command also urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that will aid ongoing security operations across the state,” the statement added.

Kidnapping has remained a security concern across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states in recent years, particularly in rural communities and forest corridors where criminal groups often exploit difficult terrain.

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In response, security agencies have increasingly relied on joint operations involving the police, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters to improve rapid response capabilities and strengthen intelligence gathering.