Oyo Police rescue kidnapped five-year-old girl, arrest two suspects after ₦1m ransom payment

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have rescued a five-year-old girl, Fikayo Gbemiga, nine days after she was abducted in Ibadan, arresting two suspects allegedly involved in the crime.

The child was rescued unharmed during a coordinated operation by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, while police said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate and recover part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the girl was abducted on July 3, 2026, after the suspects allegedly gained unlawful access to her family’s residence in the Iyana Offa area of Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The abductors subsequently contacted the family and demanded ₦10 million as ransom for the child’s release.

Following the report of the incident, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad launched an investigation, deploying intelligence gathering and tracking measures to locate the victim and identify the suspects.

Police said investigations revealed that the family paid ₦1 million as partial ransom on July 8 at a designated location in Gbongan, Osun State, while detectives continued tracking the kidnappers.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives raided a hideout in the Mojoyin Molade area of Iwo Road, Ibadan, at about 10:30 p.m. on July 11, where they rescued the child unharmed and arrested two principal suspects.

The suspects were identified as Adegboye Seyi Sunday, 37, and Adegboye Elijah Adefemi, 25.

DSP Olayinka said the operation was carried out before the suspects could relocate the victim or escape arrest.

“Acting on credible intelligence generated during the course of the investigation, operatives stormed the suspects’ hideout where the victim was rescued unharmed. The operation also led to the swift arrest of both principal suspects,” he said.

Following her rescue, the five-year-old was taken to a medical facility for evaluation before being reunited with her family.

The police spokesperson said the suspects are currently assisting investigators, while efforts are underway to recover the ₦1 million ransom already paid and apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

The Oyo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.