Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in a brazen attack that has raised alarm over rising insecurity in the region. The incident occurred on Saturday at Jinarere, Alakia, a residential area in Ibadan, as the victim was returning home. The suspect abductors, reportedly four masked and armed men, intercepted the man along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road and forcibly took him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla. The victim, identified as a building materials trader, was last seen near his residence before the violent encounter.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the abduction through its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, who spoke to DAILY POST on Sunday. Ayanlade stated that preliminary investigations indicate the attackers were well-coordinated and acted with precision, using a vehicle without proper registration to evade detection. The police are currently conducting intensive searches and surveillance in the area to trace the suspects and recover the victim safely. Authorities have also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The abduction has sparked concern among residents of Alakia and surrounding communities, who fear that such incidents may become more frequent if security measures are not strengthened. Many have expressed frustration over the increasing rate of kidnapping in Oyo State, particularly in urban areas where people feel vulnerable even during daylight hours. The incident adds to a growing list of kidnapping cases in the South-West region, where armed criminal groups have been increasingly targeting individuals for ransom.
Police have assured the public that all necessary resources are being deployed to rescue the victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. Ayanlade emphasized that the command is working closely with other security agencies to ensure a swift resolution. While details on the motive behind the abduction remain unclear, the use of an unregistered vehicle and armed force suggests a premeditated criminal act, likely for financial gain.
This latest incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security operations in Ibadan and other high-risk areas across Nigeria. As authorities continue their search, families and communities are left in anxiety, hoping for the safe return of the 60-year-old man. The case also highlights the vulnerability of even seemingly secure neighborhoods to violent crime, reinforcing calls for stronger community policing and improved surveillance systems. The abduction serves as a stark reminder that insecurity remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria’s urban centers.
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