The Ogun State Police Command has rescued an abducted victim and killed two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle with a criminal gang in the state. The operation, carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, also led to the recovery of a firearm, cash, and other items believed to be proceeds of crime.
Victim Rescued Alive After Week in Captivity
According to a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, June 24, by the Ogun State Police Command’s official handle, @OgunPoliceNG, the victim was abducted on June 11 at Ogbe Village, Ogun State. The anti-kidnapping team launched an operation after receiving the report, using intelligence and surveillance to track the suspects. The victim was rescued alive on June 18.
After the rescue, operatives continued their search for the kidnappers and traced some members of the gang to a hideout in the state. The police said the suspects opened fire when officers arrived, leading to a shootout.
Two Suspects Neutralized, Others Flee with Injuries
The command added that two suspected kidnappers were killed during the exchange, while other members of the gang escaped with gunshot injuries. The statement read: "On sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire in a desperate attempt to resist arrest and escape. The operatives responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while other members of the gang fled the scene with gunshot injuries."
A search conducted on one of the neutralised suspects led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun. Further examination of the scene yielded one expended cartridge, a mobile phone, and a cash sum of Two Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,200,000), reasonably suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities.
Police Commissioner Praises Unit, Urges Public Cooperation
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, praised the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for the successful operation. He urged residents to provide useful information that could help security agencies fight crime. The police further disclosed that investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
Similar Operations in Oyo State
In a related development, security operatives in Oyo State killed three suspected kidnappers during a gun battle in Otu, Oke-Ogun, while rescuing an abducted victim. The operation followed an attack on local hunters, leading police and other security personnel to engage the suspects. A 50-year-old man sustained gunshot injuries and was taken for treatment. Authorities recovered firearms, including an AK-47 rifle, while a local hunter was also injured during the encounter. Police vowed to continue operations against kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
In another incident, suspected bandits attacked travellers along the Igbeti-Kishi road in Oyo State, killing one person identified as Moshood Kayode and injuring several others. The attack occurred in the Irepo Local Government Area, with residents confirming that a passenger vehicle was targeted during the night ambush.
