A nine-year-old boy, Victor Oluwatobi, who was taken by armed men in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has been rescued after spending three weeks in captivity.
Victor, the son of a local pastor, was safely freed on Sunday, June 21, 2026, through a coordinated operation by security agencies and has since been reunited with his family.
The boy was kidnapped on the night of June 5, 2026, when gunmen invaded Ugbosi Quarters in Idogun. During the attack, the assailants reportedly damaged two buildings while attempting to abduct a landlord, who managed to escape.
In the confusion that followed, Pastor Oluwatobi was unable to evacuate all his children, leaving Victor behind as he slept. The assailants subsequently whisked him away and held him captive.
Following the incident, the Ondo State Government launched a joint security response involving the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante groups. The teams carried out extensive search operations across nearby forests and surrounding communities in efforts to secure the boy’s release.
Their operation eventually succeeded on Sunday, when Victor was rescued unharmed and reunited with his family.
Confirming the development, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, praised the security operatives and others who contributed to the successful rescue mission.
