Police Rescue 61-Year-Old Kidnap Victim, Recover Stolen Vehicle After Gun Battle in Ondo

A 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, has been rescued by operatives of the Ondo State Police Command after a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Owo.

The victim was abducted in the early hours of June 23, 2026, when armed men reportedly stormed her residence and took her away at gunpoint. The suspects also made away with her Toyota Matrix vehicle with registration number WWW-434-AG.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Owo, received a distress call at about 2:50 a.m. and immediately deployed officers to pursue the kidnappers.

According to Jimoh, the police tracked the suspects to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where a fierce gun battle ensued.

He said the operatives overpowered the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee into a nearby forest.

Mrs. Oladele was rescued unharmed during the operation, while her stolen vehicle was recovered.

The police also recovered two expended cartridges, a sandal believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects, and a flashlight at the scene.

Jimoh added that some members of the gang were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire but escaped into the bush.

He said the case had been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit, while efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Commending the officers for their bravery and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation is crucial in combating crime across the state.