Gunmen kidnap 12-year-old girl near school gate in Ibadan

 

Gunmen have abducted a 12-year-old schoolgirl in the Challenge area of Ibadan, Oyo State, in the early hours of Thursday.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7:20 a.m. when the pupil was on her way to school. She was said to have been taken by unidentified armed men close to the entrance of her school.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the development, stating that the victim, a female student of a private secondary school in the area, was abducted shortly after stepping out of the vehicle that dropped her off.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command explained that the suspected kidnapping happened at a junction leading directly to the school.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command confirms an incident of suspected kidnapping reported in the Challenge area of Ibadan in the early hours of today, Thursday, 12th February 2026.

“Preliminary information indicates that at about 7:20 a.m., a 12-year-old female student of a private secondary school in the area was allegedly abducted by unknown armed men at a junction leading to the school premises as she was alighting from a vehicle that conveyed her to school.”

Police authorities said the case was reported promptly, leading to the swift deployment of detectives and tactical units to the scene to conduct an initial assessment and gather intelligence to support rescue efforts.

The Command added that eyewitnesses at the scene had been identified and interviewed, with their accounts already providing useful leads for investigators working to locate the abductors.

“Eyewitnesses at the scene were identified and questioned, and their accounts are providing valuable leads to assist ongoing investigations,” the police statement added.

It also noted that the parents of the abducted pupil had been contacted and were cooperating with the police as operations continue to secure her safe return.

The Commissioner of Police in the state has directed a comprehensive, intelligence-driven investigation into the incident, assuring that every necessary step would be taken to apprehend those responsible.

According to the Command, “all possibilities and options are being explored to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.”

Police authorities further urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading panic, while calling on anyone with useful information to assist ongoing rescue efforts.