Police Launch Bush-Combing Operation to Rescue Kidnapped Indian Expatriate in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has commenced intensive bush-combing operations across parts of the state in a renewed effort to rescue an Indian expatriate abducted by gunmen and to flush out other criminal elements.

Speaking on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Alayande, disclosed this on Monday while featuring on a current affairs programme on an Ibadan-based radio station.

Alayande expressed concern over the recent resurgence of criminal activities in the state, stating that the command was reviewing its security architecture to effectively curb kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas.

It was gathered that gunmen on Saturday killed a police officer and kidnapped the Indian expatriate during an attack at Ogunmakin community in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson also recalled a separate attack last Tuesday, January 6, when suspected bandits invaded the National Park Service outpost in Oloka community, Oriire Local Government Area, killing five officers.

According to Alayande, the incidents prompted the command to reassess its security strategy and deploy additional personnel to flashpoints across the state.

“The Oyo State Police Command is reviewing its security architecture to checkmate the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements across the 33 local government areas,” he said.

“It is painful that one of our officers paid the supreme price while trying to repel the attack by gunmen at Ogunmakin in Oluyole Local Government Area. An Indian expatriate was kidnapped during the incident.

“We have deployed our men to the affected areas, and they have commenced bush-combing operations in search of the criminals. I assure members of the public that the perpetrators will be smoked out wherever they are hiding,” he added.

Alayande further disclosed that the command was working closely with its counterparts in Ogun and Lagos states to strengthen security along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and surrounding border communities.

He assured residents that the police would intensify patrols and intelligence-led operations to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.