A 60-year-old building materials trader has been abducted by suspected gunmen in the Monatan area of Lagelu Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when the victim was reportedly on his way home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road. According to findings, four masked armed men intercepted him and forcibly took him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla at about 8:47 pm.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan.
He said, “I can confirm that there was a case of abduction reported on May 2, 2026, at about 2047hrs from the Monatan area of Ibadan.
“Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and activated necessary operational measures aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators.”
The police spokesperson added that efforts were ongoing to secure the victim’s release, assuring residents that all available resources were being deployed to ensure his safe return and bring those behind the crime to justice.
The latest abduction adds to a series of security incidents recorded in the state in recent months. In March 2026, four persons were kidnapped along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in Irepo Local Government Area.
In a separate development, security operatives recently foiled a planned bandit attack at Elebe Village in Aleniboro, Atisbo Local Government Area, where two suspected gang members were neutralised following a tip-off about armed men hiding in a farm settlement.
Similarly, a kidnap attempt was thwarted at Olorunda Village in Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area, where the victim, Haruna Lawal, was rescued despite sustaining a head injury during the incident.