Residents of the Monatan area in Ibadan were thrown into a state of panic on Saturday night following the abduction of a 60-year-old building materials trader. The businessman was reportedly intercepted by a gang of armed men while he was on his way home, marking another unsettling security breach in the Oyo State capital.
The abduction took place at approximately 8:47 p.m. along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road. According to eyewitness accounts and details gathered by Zoyols News, four masked gunmen accosted the trader and forced him into an unregistered, ash-colored Toyota Corolla before speeding away from the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Oyo State Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that security operatives were mobilized immediately after the report reached the authorities. He noted that police teams have already visited the scene of the crime to gather evidence and have activated a high-level operational strategy to track down the kidnappers.
The police spokesperson assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in the effort to rescue the victim and bring the perpetrators to justice. He emphasized that the command is deploying all available resources and technology to ensure the trader is released safely and reunited with his family.
As the search operation continues, the police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements within their neighborhoods. The authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and order across the state, promising to crack down on criminal elements targeting innocent citizens.
