The police command in Ogun has neutralised five suspected kidnappers in a gun duel on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, CSP Omolola Odutola, made this known on Wednesday in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
She explained that following a distress call received on Saturday at about 7.00 p.m. from commuters travelling on Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilisan, the area commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene.
On getting to the scene, it was discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, and indiscriminately opened fire on the passengers, causing widespread panic.
She said in the operation, “Three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi , 65; Olasunkanmi Idowu, 50, and one Mohammed Salisu were abducted into the forest from two vehicles.
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“The vehicles are Honda Pilot marked EKY 113 GZ and Honda Accord car with registration number KJA 13 QFA.”
The police spokesperson said upon the discovery, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, directed a covert operation led by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
She said on Wednesday at 4:00 a.m., operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle.
“In the exchange, five kidnappers were killed while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, N5.2 million suspected to be proceeds of crime and three mobile phones.
“The three kidnapped victims regained their freedom, unhurt.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate,” she said.
The spokesperson said while stressing the commitment of the police to crackdown on criminals, the Commissioner of Police warned against any criminal activities, particularly among youths seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.
