By Wellington Jopelo
Security operatives in Oyo State have rescued a kidnapped victim after a gun battle with suspected abductors during a coordinated operation in the Oke-Ogun area of the state.
The operation was carried out by officers of the Oyo State Police Command alongside local security groups following intelligence reports about the movement of suspected kidnappers within the area.
According to security sources, the victim had been abducted by armed men who later moved the person into a hideout before security operatives tracked their location.
The situation reportedly led to an exchange of gunfire between the suspects and the police team during the rescue mission.
Three suspected kidnappers were killed during the confrontation while the victim was rescued alive and taken away from the scene safely.
Police authorities also recovered weapons and other items believed to have been used by the criminal group during their operations.
Residents of the affected community described the rescue as a major relief, especially after growing fears over increasing cases of kidnapping and attacks in rural parts of the state.
The Oke-Ogun axis has witnessed repeated security challenges in recent months, with travelers and villagers often targeted by armed gangs operating around forests and isolated communities.
Following the operation, security patrols were intensified across nearby areas as authorities continued efforts to track possible fleeing members of the gang.
The police assured residents that operations against kidnappers, armed robbers, and other violent criminals would continue across the state to improve safety and restore public confidence.