Residents of Ebinpejo Village in Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State are gradually returning to normal life after a frightening kidnapping incident that once again exposed the growing security concerns facing many rural communities across the state.
The Oyo State Police Command successfully rescued two abducted children and arrested four suspected kidnappers following a coordinated security operation that culminated in a gun battle inside a forest hideout where the victims were being held.
The incident occurred on Friday, June 27, 2026, when armed hoodlums reportedly stormed Ebinpejo Village, invading several homes, assaulting residents, and creating panic among families. During the attack, the gunmen forcefully abducted two children before escaping into the surrounding forest, leaving the community in fear and uncertainty.
The attack highlights the increasing vulnerability of rural settlements in parts of Oyo State, where communities located near forests have become attractive targets for kidnapping gangs and other criminal groups. Beyond the immediate trauma suffered by victims, such attacks continue to disrupt farming activities, local commerce, school attendance, and the overall sense of safety that sustains rural livelihoods.
Following a distress call, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered an immediate rescue operation. A joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and community hunters was mobilised to pursue the kidnappers.
According to the Police Command, security operatives relied on credible intelligence and technical support to trace the suspects to a hideout deep inside an Ibarapa forest. On sighting the advancing security team, the kidnappers reportedly opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. The superior coordination of the joint security forces eventually overwhelmed the criminal gang, forcing some members to flee while others were apprehended.
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