Two suspected kidnappers were shot dead on Saturday by operatives of Ogun State Police Command after a gun duel.
The kidnappers were engaged by the police at Bere forest in Onigaari area along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Recovered were two AK 47 riffles.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the feat was achieved in furtherance of bush combing operation in search of kidnappers terrorising different parts of Ogun State.
He said the operatives stormed the bush following information received by the command from members of the public that the AK 47 bearing hoodlums numbering about six were sighted in the forest, possibly waiting for the appropriate time to strike.
Upon the information, Oyeyemi said, the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, quickly deployed the command’s tactical teams, coordinated by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Owode Egba division, CSP Olusola Oniyiku to the forest in search of the hoodlums.
While the combing was going on, the hoodlums on sighting the policemen, opened fire on them, and gun battle ensued.
He added that at the end of the encounter, one of the bandits was shot dead on the spot, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Searching the forest further, he said, one of the bandits with bullets wound was arrested in the bush but gave up the ghost few minutes after.
Two AK 47 rifles with breech numbers 1983NF1040 and 1987-3-CA-1212 with five rounds of ammunition were said to have been recovered from them.
The latest rifle recovery makes it four Ak 47 rifles recovered by the command within the period of two weeks.
Also recovered from them are sachets of tramadol and assorted charms.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has ordered massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang.
He also appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals, not to hesitate to inform the police if anyone with gunshot injuries was seen in their area.
He therefore assured the people of Ogun State that the command would not rest on its oars until the state was rid of criminal elements.
