An anti-kidnapping operation by the Ogun State Police Command has resulted in the death of a suspected kidnapper, the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and ₦1.37 million in cash, following a raid on a suspected criminal hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road.
Police operatives also recovered 20 rounds of ammunition and a mobile phone during the operation, which took place at about 1am on Sunday, November 8.
According to the police, the raid triggered a gun battle between operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and suspected members of the kidnapping gang.
One suspect was killed during the encounter, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
The operation came barely hours after the police secured the release of 10 passengers abducted from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, on November 3.
The victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30pm on Saturday, November 7, following what the police described as sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the developments in a statement.
He said the follow-up operation was part of efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction and dismantle their criminal network.
Babaseyi added that the command had intensified efforts to locate and arrest the fleeing suspects, particularly those believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police communication channels.
The police also appealed for public cooperation, stressing that information from residents could assist operatives in apprehending the fleeing suspects.
The rescue of the 10 passengers and the subsequent raid represent two major developments in the police operation against the suspected kidnapping gang operating in the area.
