Residents Celebrate Gallantry in Mushin
By Halimah Olamide
Men of the Nigeria Police Thursday evening killed six out of seven suspected kidnappers who were set for a major onslaught on some important personalities in Lagos.
NPO Reports learnt that the kidnappers and operatives of the Nigeria police force engaged gunshots leading to the death of six out of the seven suspects.
The incident happened at Olojede Street Papa Ajao in Mushin a densely populated area of Lagos.
Residents were said to have gun into hiding as sounds of sporadic gunshots rent the air for a long time.
However, after a prolonged battle, six of the suspected kidnappers were gunned down.
Residents who late came out of their houses had celebrated the gallantry of the policemen succeeded in taking the suspects down.
Given details of the operations on Friday, the command in the state confirmed that the suspects were set for a series of kidnappings before they were rounded up.
Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman of the command, said, “Our intelligence gathering assets yielded very credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and very notorious gang of kidnappers planning to kidnap some high net-worth individuals in Lagos.
“Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in Ladipo area of Lagos State.
“With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them.”
Narrating how the suspects challenged the police, Hundeyin said they engaged in a shoot-out.
“They of course bowed to the superior fire power of the police. Nine of them were neutralized while two escaped with gunshot injuries. Four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semiautomatic pistols, nine AK47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine and a loud speaker were recovered from them.
A video of the residents jubilating over the feat by the police was shared on X by eons intelligence with the handle @eonsintelligenc on Friday.
“Also recovered are their two operational vehicles: one black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects. It is worthy of note that the Command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnapping of wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo and Ladipo areas of Lagos State. We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.”
He said the breakthrough is in addition to several other breakthroughs we have made in recent times in identifying and apprehending gangs of kidnappers and armed robbers while planning their crimes.
“Many of these were not made public so as to protect the identity of members of the public that made the information available. We urge everyone including medical practitioners to be on the lookout for anyone with gunshot injuries and promptly inform the nearest police station or call any of our emergency numbers if they come across any.
“We also use this medium to call on other well meaning Lagosians not to hesitate in giving us information when they suspect anything amiss around them to enable us act appropriately and swiftly. On our part, we promise to continue to prioritize their safety and security.”
NPO Reports that two weeks ago, boss of a major electronic distributing company, Fouani and three other brothers were kidnapped at the Falomo area of the state.
They were kidnapped while traveling back to Ikoyi from Apapa where they had gone for inspection of the company’s warehouse.