Oyo State Police Command Disrupts Major Highway Abduction Plot Near Onigambari Forest

Police operatives in Oyo State foil an April 18 kidnap attempt at Onigambari. Two injured by gunfire as authorities launch a manhunt for fleeing suspects.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Channels Television

Swift Tactical Response to Highway Ambush

Law enforcement officials in Oyo State have intensified their anti crime operations following a high stakes intervention on a major transit artery. According to the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, a group of suspected hoodlums launched a targeted attack on vehicles transporting passengers back from a social gathering in Ibadan. The assault, which occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. near Onigambari, aimed to intercept commuters for the purpose of a coordinated abduction. However, the rapid arrival of police teams following an urgent distress call forced the attackers to abandon their objective, successfully foiling what officials described as a planned mass kidnapping.

Casualties and Emergency Medical Intervention

While the primary objective of the kidnappers was thwarted, the violence resulted in physical harm to several travelers caught in the crossfire. Two individuals sustained significant gunshot injuries during the confrontation and were immediately rushed to Amazing Hospital and Ibadan Central Hospital for specialized medical care. According to police reports, occupants of two additional vehicles managed to reach the Awa-Ijebu Police Division. These individuals are also receiving clinical treatment for injuries sustained during the chaos of the ambush, though the command confirmed that all victims are currently under medical supervision.

Deployment of Elite Security Reinforcements

In the immediate aftermath of the skirmish, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ambimbola Olugbenga, directed a comprehensive surge in personnel along the Mamu/Ijebu-Ode axis. This strategic deployment includes additional specialized units tasked with reinforcing existing security cordons to prevent criminal elements from re establishing a presence in the area. The command’s focus has shifted toward a proactive containment strategy, using increased visibility and tactical patrols to reassure road users who frequently traverse this busy corridor connecting Ibadan to neighboring regions.