The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, who was abducted by armed hoodlums in Owo, following a swift tactical operation that also led to the recovery of her stolen vehicle after an exchange of gunfire with the suspects.
According to an official statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on June 23, 2026, when the Divisional Police Officer of B Division, Owo, received a distress call that armed men had forcefully broken into Mrs. Oladele’s residence, abducted her at gunpoint, and fled with her Toyota Matrix vehicle bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.
The statement said the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised operatives, who launched a coordinated pursuit of the fleeing suspects. The police team intercepted the hoodlums on the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3 in Owo, where a fierce gun battle ensued.
The Command disclosed that the superior tactical response and firepower of the police overwhelmed the attackers, forcing them to abandon the victim and the stolen vehicle before fleeing into the surrounding bush. Some of the suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.
Items recovered from the scene include two expended cartridges, one sandal believed to have been abandoned by one of the fleeing suspects, and a torchlight.
According to the statement, efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing members of the criminal gang, while the case has been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for a discreet and comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting all those connected with the crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, commended the gallantry and swift response of the operatives involved in the rescue operation, reaffirming the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He assured residents that no effort would be spared in ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police by promptly reporting suspicious persons, activities, or movements, stressing that timely and credible information remains a vital tool in the fight against crime and criminality.
