- Safiu Kehinde
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command has on Wednesday burst kidnappers’ den along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, neutralizing five while rescuing three kidnapped victims.
The kidnappers had in an operation along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway last week attacked commuters, kidnapping three.
While the policemen were unable to foil the kidnap, they would, however, kidnappers’ hideout today.
As contained in a statement issued by the Ogun Police Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the officers engaged the kidnappers in fierce gun battle, neutralizing five while other fled with gun shot injuries.
While the three kidnapped victims regained their freedom, the officers also recovered arms and ammunition as well as N5.2 million.
The statement read; “On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic. In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).
“The Commissioner of Police, CP. Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. On January 29, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout, and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five (5) kidnappers were fully invited while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Recovered items:
• One Ak 47 riffle
• Ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition
• #5.2million (suspected to be proceeds of crime)
• Three (03) mobile phones.
“Three (03) kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high profile crimes. He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying in on innocent citizens in Ogun”