Operatives of Ogun State Police Command have rescued a journalist, Oduneye Olusegun, who was kidnapped by some gunmen at Mobalufon area of Ijebu Ode on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
The journalist was rescued on Saturday, the spokesman of the police command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said.
The journalist, who was coming from Abeokuta was said to have been kidnapped at Mobalufon area in his Toyota Camry car at about 7:50 p.m.
The kidnappers, the police spokesman said, later called his wife through his (victim’s) phone the following morning and demanded N30 million as ransom.
He said upon the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba directed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Obalende divisional headquarters, SP Murphy Salami, in whose jurisdiction the incident happened to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.
In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO was said to have mobilised his detectives and embarked on technical and intelligence based investigation of the incident.
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Their efforts paid off when the Toyota Camry of the journalist was traced to Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating, waiting for the ransom.
On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout which lasted about 45 minutes before they abandoned the car and took to their heels after sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The victim’s car which was soaked with the kidnappers’ blood as a result of gunshot injuries was recovered by the police team.
Oyeyemi said having realized that the game was over, the kidnappers were left with no alternative but to abandon the victim, and he was rescued unhurt.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, who commended his men for their gallantry and professional conduct appealed to members of the public especially hospitals and traditional healers to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injury was seen in their area.
The CP also warned criminals to stay away from Ogun State, as the command was ready to take the fight to their door step.
