The Ogun State Police Command has announced that its officers neutralized five suspected kidnappers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The confirmation came through a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola.
According to the statement, the Area Commander in Sagamu responded to a distress call from commuters reporting an armed robbery near Ilishan. Acting promptly, the Area Commander deployed a specialized 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,” she said.
“In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu were abducted into the forest from two vehicles , an Honda Pilot with Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ and an Honda Accord Car with Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA.”
She said the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit,saying that 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 and in the exchange, five kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the suspected kidnappers include One AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, ₦5.2 million suspected to be proceeds of crimes and three mobile phones.
“The three kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt, while 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, as he reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State,” she concluded.