The police command in Oyo State said a resident, Adetutu Aderibigbe, was abducted by four suspected gunmen on Wednesday at Bolumole Area off Ring Road, Ibadan.

The command’s spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, said in a statement that preliminary investigation revealed that Ms Aderibigbe was kidnapped at about 6:00 p.m.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the police spokesman said the victim was trailed by four masked gunmen to her residence.

Mr Olayinka said the victim was waylaid at the gate to her residence and whisked away at gunpoint in an unregistered black Lexus vehicle.

“The Oyo State Police Command is aware of a report currently circulating in the media regarding the alleged kidnapping of one Mrs Adetutu Aderibigbe. Contrary to reports suggesting that the victim was kidnapped on the road and that her vehicle windscreen was smashed, findings indicate that the assailants had trailed the victim to her residence,” Mr Olayinka said.

“Upon her arrival and while attempting to enter her premises, she was accosted at the gate by four armed men wearing masks and subsequently forcefully taken away in an unregistered black Lexus vehicle. A family member who was present at the scene was left unharmed,” he added.

Following a report to the police, Mr Olayinka said detectives and members of the tactical unit were deployed to the incident scene to conduct an on-the-spot evaluation.

The spokesman stated that surveillance and intelligence efforts have been reinforced to hunt the perpetrators and ensure the victim’s safe return.

“The scene of the crime has since been forensically swept, and critical evidence recovered is currently aiding the ongoing investigation. Surveillance and intelligence efforts have also been intensified to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of the victim,” the police spokesman said.

He added that all appropriate resources have been deployed to secure the victim’s release and apprehend the individuals responsible for the act.

Promising to share additional updates, the command urged members of the public to be calm, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.