Crime

Ogun Police Nuetralise Two Kidnappers, Rescue Abductees

ByHafsoh Isiaq

PublishedJuly 3, 2024

The Ogun State Police Command has said its operatives have neutralised two suspected kidnappers.

The kidnappers were said to be among the hoodlums who abducted four travellers along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway on Sunday night.

According to the Police, the Kmkidnappers engaged them in a gun duel but were eventually incapacitated

The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing at the state command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Alamutu equally said that the four abducted travellers, one Nigerian and three Indian nationals, had regained their freedom.

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Recovered from the kidnappers were 109 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five AK47 rifles, eight AK magazines, and two cell phones.

Alamutu recalled how, on June 30, 2024, the Divisional Police Officer in Ikenne received a distress call reporting the kidnapping incident at around 7:10 pm near Delabo junction on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway.

The CP explained that some unidentified armed individuals, believed to be kidnappers, accosted a grey Toyota Rav 4 jeep with registration number AGL 16 JE.

He said, “The armed men, who emerged from an unregistered Venza car, fired four shots at the driver’s side tyre and another at the rear side of the driver, forcing the vehicle to a stop.

“Subsequently, they forcefully abducted the occupants of the vehicle and fled towards Ijebu-Ode.

“Upon receiving the distress call, the Anti-kidnapping squad of the Ogun State Command was dispatched with explicit instructions to pursue the fleeing suspects.

“Through a covert operation, the suspects were located in a bush where they were hiding. Upon noticing the police officers’ flashlight, they engaged in a gun battle with the law enforcement team.

“The Anti-kidnapping squad’s superior firepower led to the elimination of two suspects, while the remaining criminals escaped with injuries, leaving behind their weapons.

“The victims, later identified as one Nigerian and three Indian nationals, were safely rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”

Alamutu said that the state police command remains dedicated to safeguarding lives and property, which is considered its primary duty.

He explained that a rapid response team has also been deployed to enhance security along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

The CP urged members of the public to report individuals displaying gunshot wounds under reasonable suspicion as this will help in arresting other fleeing suspects for this dastardly act.

Hafsoh Isiaq

Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.