Suspect Claims Supernatural Influence in Oyo Child Abduction
Umaru Usman, a 25-year-old suspect arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for the abduction of two children, has attributed his involvement to black magic. Usman was taken into custody following the rescue of the victims, who were kidnapped on Friday, June 27, 2026, in Ebinpejo village, via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area (LGA).
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the rescue and arrest of four suspects in a statement by its spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, titled 'Oyo Police Rescue Abducted Children, Arrest Four Kidnap Suspects'. The arrests come amid rising insecurity concerns in Oyo state, particularly in rural communities.
Police Operation Leads to Arrests
According to the police, collaborative efforts among security agencies and credible intelligence enabled them to trace the abductors' hideout deep within the forest. During a raid, an exchange of gunfire occurred, and the captors fled, with at least one suspect sustaining gunshot wounds. Usman was subsequently arrested, and follow-up operations led to the arrest of three more suspects.
Suspects Trade Blame
In interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Channels Television, and Arise News after the arrests, the suspects denied key allegations and accused one another of masterminding the operation. Usman, identified by investigators as the coordinator of the gang, denied leading the group and claimed the other suspects were falsely implicating him.
Usman stated: '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 added: '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.' He also claimed he was unaware that the group was carrying a rifle during the operation.
Viral Video and Public Reaction
A video of Usman's confession has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion. The Oyo State Police Command has not commented on the supernatural claims but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. The rescued children have been reunited with their families, and the suspects are in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
In related news, the Oyo police recently refuted a viral video alleging that students and teachers abducted from Oriire LGA were flown to Kaduna state in a helicopter. Spokesperson Ayanlade described that video as false, misleading, and lacking factual basis.
