The Oyo State Police Command has successfully rescued four passengers following their abduction along the Igbeti–Kishi Road in the Irepo Local Government Area.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.

According to him, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when armed men reportedly emerged from a nearby forest and blocked the highway.

The attackers intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling from Igbeti to Kishi and forcefully took four passengers into the bush.

Ayanlade explained that upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, immediately ordered a rescue operation involving officers from neighbouring divisions as well as specialised tactical units.

“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that four passengers abducted in the early hours of March 5, 2026, along the Igbeti–Kishi Road have been successfully rescued following a swift and coordinated security response.

“Immediately the report was received, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, directed the Divisional Police Officers of Igbeti and Kishi divisions, alongside relevant tactical teams, to deploy all necessary operational resources to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.

“Acting on the directive, a joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, and other local security stakeholders swiftly moved to the area and began intensive combing of the surrounding forests.

“The prolonged bush-combing operation, which lasted several hours, mounted considerable pressure on the criminals, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee the area. Consequently, the four victims were rescued unhurt, regained their freedom, and have since been reunited with their families,” the statement read.

The police spokesperson added that security personnel have continued combing the forests in a bid to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down those responsible for the attack.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has confirmed the dismissal of four police officers for their involvement in the killing of seven traders at the Owode Onirin motor spare parts market.

Jimoh told reporters at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ikeja, on Thursday that an investigation into the Owode-Onirin killings was ongoing.

He said the dismissed officers, brought from Nasarawa by the principal suspect, ‘Ariori’, were involved in the unlawful killings.

Jimoh assured the public that justice would be served, citing ballistic and autopsy reports guiding the prosecution.

“This matter has not been swept under the carpet, and we want the public and all the families of the victims to know that nobody can stop us from ensuring that justice is done.

“We will leave no stone unturned and will not be intimidated by anyone.

“All suspects will be prosecuted, and the courts remain open to hear every case,” Jimoh said.

The commissioner emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to its constitutional duty of maintaining law and order, adding that no individual or group could obstruct the course of justice.

He explained that 98 per cent of the investigation had been completed, and the police would continue taking action to protect Lagos residents.

Jimoh urged residents and traders to remain vigilant, assuring them that the police were committed to safety and justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the incident occurred in August 2025 during a clash between land grabbers and traders in the Owode-Onirin area of the state.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, and his two brothers, Mohammed and Ali, of all 23 counts related to the alleged non-declaration of assets, a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

Justice Omotosho described the case against Kyari and his brothers as “persecution.”

The judge consequently discharged and acquitted the defendants of the chargee.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDLEA is prosecuting Kyari, the former head of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and his two brothers on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after counsel for the NDLEA, Sunday Joseph; Kyari’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and his brothers’ counsel, Monjok Agom, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the charge.

The NDLEA, in the 23-count charge, named Abba, Mohammed and Ali as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

The anti-narcotics agency alleged that Abba and his two younger brothers; Mohammed and Ali, failed to make full disclosure of their assets.

It said it uncovered 14 assets, including shopping malls, residential estate, polo playground, lands and farmland belonging to Kyari.

Kyari was alleged to have failed to disclose his ownership of the property in different locations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Maiduguri in Borno.

The NDLEA alleged that over N207 million and Є17, 598 were also discovered in Kyari’s various accounts in Guarantee Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Sterling Bank.

The agency, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, also accused them of “disguising of ownership of properties and conversion of monies.”

The NDLEA said the offences are punishable under Section 35 (3) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, and Section 15 (3) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

They however pleaded not guilty to all the counts.