Two suspected kidnappers have been killed during a shootout with operatives of the Ondo State Police Command in Ilu-Abo, along the Akure-Owo Expressway.
Police also recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, face masks and two ATM cards believed to be connected to the gang.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo responded to an emergency call at about 3:30 a.m. after armed men were reported at Olaiya Block Industry, near Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that about seven masked suspects invaded the premises and demanded to see the owner of the business before officers arrived at the scene.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilized to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered,” the statement read.
The command said the deceased suspects’ bodies had been moved to the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, while detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad had taken over the investigation.
Police said efforts were continuing to locate and arrest the fleeing members of the gang, who were believed to have been wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Jimoh also urged residents, particularly medical practitioners and healthcare facilities, to promptly report anyone seeking treatment for suspected gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious behaviour.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State. It also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.