Police Foil Midnight Abduction, Rescue 61-Year-Old Woman After Gun Battle in Ondo

 

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a midnight kidnap operation in Owo, rescuing a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.

The police also recovered the victim's stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle while several members of the criminal gang were believed to have escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries following the exchange of fire.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on June 23, 2026, when armed hoodlums invaded Mrs. Oladele's residence in Owo, forcefully abducted her at gunpoint, and fled with her Toyota Matrix, bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised operatives after receiving a distress call and launched a coordinated pursuit of the kidnappers.

The police team tracked the suspects to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where they engaged the fleeing gang in a gun duel.

Unable to withstand the superior firepower of the operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and the stolen vehicle before escaping into the surrounding forest. Police said some of the suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to belong to one of the fleeing criminals, and a torchlight abandoned during the escape.

The Command said the case has been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further investigation, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal gang.

Commending the officers for their courage and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, praised the swift response that led to the successful rescue of the victim without loss of life.

He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property across Ondo State, assuring residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.

The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.