Osun police command foils kidnap, arrests suspect

The Osun State Police Command, on Sunday, arrested a suspected kidnapper, Malami Muhammad, while another, Babuga escaped with gunshot wounds after a failed kidnap attempt.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Yemisi Opalola, Muhammad was arrested at a Fulani settlement at Erefe area, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife, after a gun duel.

Opalola, who revealed that their victim, Muhammad Gembu was rescued unhurt with the help of Fulani vigilante in the community, disclosed that it was during the exchange of gunfire, that Babuga evaded arrest and fled the scene.

He said in the statement that, “The Osun State Police Command in its struggle not to make the State a safe haven for criminal elements to hibernate, has arrested a suspected kidnapper named Malami Muhammad ‘m’, while the other sustained gun injury.

“The brief fact of the case is that, on the 17th April, 2022 at about 11:30am, the complainant reported at ‘C’ Division, Aganhun, Ile-Ife that, some suspected kidnappers came to their area at Fulani settlement, Erefe area, Ondo Road, Ile-Ife at about 00:15am of the same date, and kidnapped one Muhammed Gembu.

“Immediately the Police received the report, detectives swung into action, and arrested a suspect, one Malami Muhammad after a gun duel, while one Babuga, surname yet unknown was fatally wounded and one escaped.

“Also, the victim was rescued unhurt with the assistance of Fulani vigilante in the community.”

The Osun police spokesperson, who urged the members of the public to always cooperate with the police in the dissemination of information to aid capture of criminal elements in the State, added that the arrested suspect will be charged to court after conclusion of investigation.