Security operatives in Oyo State have taken two suspected Fulani herdsmen into custody for their alleged involvement in a string of kidnappings that has unsettled communities in Iseyin. The men, identified as Umaru Abubakar, aged twenty five, and Bello Umaru Usman, aged thirty two, were arrested during a coordinated operation carried out by Nigeria’s Forest Security Services.
A witness shared a video on Thursday showing the suspects shortly after their arrest. According to the footage, both men had lived in the area for several years and spoke fluent Yoruba, a detail that has intensified local anger. They were reportedly tracked down after a recent kidnap for ransom case that drew widespread attention.
During questioning, the suspects admitted they had taken part in kidnapping activities and claimed they had received a total of two million four hundred thousand naira from victims. One of the men alleged that a local contact provided information that enabled the abduction and said the pair later attempted to kidnap the same individual while returning from the operation. The video also showed cash and ammunition said to have been recovered from them.
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Residents of Iseyin have reacted strongly to the arrests. Many voiced frustration over what they described as a pattern of suspected kidnappers being released after detention. A resident urged the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation, warning that those freed often return to target the same communities.
The arrests have stirred wider questions about the infiltration of rural areas by criminal groups and the strain placed on local trust. For many in Iseyin, the case has reopened concerns about security lapses, accountability, and the need for consistent action to curb kidnapping across Oyo State.
