Police arrest three suspects over kidnapping of herdsman in Osun
Osun State Police Arrest Three Suspected Kidnappers
Osogbo, Nigeria — The Commissioner of Police for Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, announced the arrest of three individuals believed to be part of an inter-state kidnapping syndicate. The suspects were apprehended during a police operation that targeted a recent kidnapping incident involving a Fulani herdsman, Yahaya Sulaimon.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Osun State Police Command headquarters, Gotan identified the suspects as Umaru Adamu, 21, and brothers Nasir and Umar Yahya, both 24 years old. He detailed that their arrests followed coordinated efforts between police personnel and local security groups.
The commissioner recounted that the kidnapping occurred in the early hours of May 5, 2026, when armed assailants invaded a cattle settlement in the Iloko area and forcibly took Sulaimon. Gotan described the attackers, numbering around six, as armed with firearms and blunt instruments, who also assaulted the complainant before fleeing with the victim.
Acting on intelligence, police launched a search in the vicinity. However, Gotan reported that upon encountering law enforcement, the abductors inflicted stab wounds on Sulaimon before escaping. Fortunately, police operatives were able to rescue the victim and transport him to a local hospital for medical care.
Further details from the operation revealed that Adamu was found with a locally manufactured automatic weapon and three live cartridges at the time of his arrest. Following Gotan’s orders, the case was subsequently handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for thorough investigation.
In addition to Adamu, intelligence gathering led to the arrests of Nasir Yahya in Ajase and Umar Yahya in Sabo-Ibodi. Gotan confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate, emphasizing that investigations are being intensified.
