On Friday, Ogun State Police operatives fatally shot two suspected kidnappers during a gunfight and apprehended two other suspects at their concealment along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan motorway.
The apprehended individuals, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, the orchestrator of the kidnapping operation, and Mohammed Bello, a gang associate, were detained at approximately 5 a.m. On Monday, suspects identified as gunmen, believed to be bandits, invaded Ipojo Golden Estate in the Oke-Eri region of Ijebu-Ode and seized three family members.
discovered that the captives were liberated unhurt at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday after the payment of an undisclosed ransom.
The Police Spokesperson for the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed their release on Saturday, stating that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad escalated efforts to apprehend the gang responsible for the kidnapping.
Babaseyi reported that the intelligence-driven operation resulted in their apprehension and the seizure of one AK-47 rifle with ten rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, one single-barrel firearm, N1.5 million believed to be ransom earnings, multiple mobile phones, and a black bag.
The Police reported that operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command eliminated two alleged kidnappers and apprehended a suspected kidnapping kingpin, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, along with an accomplice, Mohammed Bello, during an intelligence-driven operation. This operation also resulted in the seizure of one AK-47 rifle with ten rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, one single-barrel shotgun, ₦1,500,000 believed to be ransom proceeds, multiple mobile phones, and a black bag.
The image maker stated that upon encountering police operations, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in an intense gun battle.
The operators acted competently, leading to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers, while other gang members fled into the adjacent woodland with varied degrees of gunshot wounds.
The bodies of the neutralised suspects have been transferred to a mortuary for autopsy according to standard practice, while attempts continue to capture the fleeing members of the syndicate, he added.
Concurrently, State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni praised the operatives for their bravery, professionalism, and tenacity, reaffirming the command’s steadfast dedication to addressing abduction and other violent offences throughout the state.
Ojajuni further encouraged the people to maintain vigilance and report any suspicious activity or movements using the command’s emergency numbers.