Abductor reveals reason for kidnapping Oyo children

A 25-year-old suspect, Umaru Usman, arrested by operatives of the Oyo State Police Command over the abduction of two children in Oyo State, has claimed that he was under the influence of black magic when he allegedly participated in the crime.

According to The Nation, the suspect was arrested following the rescue of the abducted children by security operatives after a coordinated operation in the Ibarapa axis of the state.

According to the Oyo State Police Command, the victims were kidnapped on Friday, June 27, 2026, in Ebinpejo village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area.

The development was disclosed by the command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement titled “Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Children, Arrest Four Kidnap Suspects.”

Police Rescue Victims, Arrest Four Suspects

Police said that acting on credible intelligence and through collaboration with other security agencies, operatives traced the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside a forest.

During the operation, a gun battle reportedly ensued, forcing the kidnappers to flee. At least one suspect sustained gunshot injuries before Umaru Usman was arrested. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of three additional suspects.

Suspects Trade Blame

Following their arrest, interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Channels Television, and Arise News showed that the suspects denied major allegations and accused one another of masterminding the abduction.

Investigators identified Usman as the alleged coordinator of the operation, but he denied leading the gang and insisted the other suspects were falsely accusing him.

He said:

“No one in my family has been involved in this kind of crime. I was under a spell. I don’t know what came over me.”

He further stated:

“When the spell came over me, one of these suspects called me on the phone. I went to meet him. I did not know what I was doing, and I followed them.”

Usman also claimed he did not know the group was carrying a rifle during the operation.

The viral video of the suspect, Usman, can be viewed here via X.

Police Dismiss Viral Helicopter Claim

In a related development, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed a viral social media video alleging that kidnapped students and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area were flown to Kaduna State in a helicopter.

Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade described the claim as false, misleading and without any factual basis.