The Ondo State Police Command has rescued a 26-year-old woman who was abducted in Owo and arrested four suspects in connection with the incident.
The victim, identified as Ogechi John, was allegedly abducted by unidentified men at Gozako Filling Station along the Emure–Akure Expressway in Owo on June 8, 2026.
According to the police, the suspects arrived at the scene in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry without registration numbers before forcibly taking the victim to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, the Command said it immediately launched a coordinated operation involving operatives of the police, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.
The police said strategic entry and exit points within Owo and neighbouring communities were secured, while patrol and tactical teams were deployed to search nearby bushes and possible escape routes.
The operation led to the discovery of the suspected getaway vehicle abandoned in a bush at Ojana, Owo.
Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, police operatives arrested three suspects who were found in possession of a lady’s motorcycle believed to be linked to the case.
The suspects were identified as Friday Shola, 27; Friday Monday, 21; Osho Joseph, 24; and Lawal Mariam.
The Command said preliminary investigation revealed that the abandoned Toyota Camry had allegedly been handed over to a herbalist identified as Lawal Lucky of Idimepe Street, Owo, who is currently at large.
It added that sustained operational pressure and intelligence-driven efforts eventually led to the successful rescue of the victim.
The police said Ogechi has been reunited with safety and is receiving necessary support while investigators continue to process evidence related to the case.
The Command noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and identify additional persons who may have been involved in the crime.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, praised their professionalism, resilience and swift response.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring residents that criminal elements would not be allowed to operate freely in Ondo.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and investigations.