On Tuesday, officers from the Ogun State Police Command neutralized two kidnappers targeting travelers on the Sagamu Ijebu-Ode-Benin highway.
In a rescue operation, the police engaged the kidnappers in a shootout, leading to their deaths.
Additionally, N7.9 million and 1,500 Indian Rupees, suspected to be part of the ransom collected from the victims, were recovered by the police.
With the assistance of local security groups, the police carried out a rescue mission around 4:30 pm, freeing three Indian nationals who had been kidnapped on May 3rd.
These events were detailed in a statement given to the press by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, on Monday.
Odutola described how on May 4th, the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited reported a kidnapping incident to the Mowe Division, detailing how on May 3rd, a group of kidnappers attacked two Hilux buses carrying roughly sixteen passengers at the Kajola junction on the Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta highway.
The statement mentioned, “The anti-kidnapping unit, with assistance from other police units and local security groups, acted swiftly by searching the area.
“Police officers engaged the kidnappers in an intense gunfight in the forest along Benin-Sagamu Papalanto around 4:30 pm on May 7th, 2024, rescuing the hostages unscathed.
“During the clash, two of the six kidnappers were taken down, and officers recovered two AK-47 rifles, a locally made single-barrel gun, a sword, a mobile phone, charms, and 65 rounds of ammunition.
“The suspected ransom money, totaling seven million nine hundred thousand naira (#7,900,000) and one thousand five hundred Indian Rupees, was also found at the scene.
“The bodies of the two deceased kidnappers were transported to the public morgue, and a manhunt is ongoing for the remaining four kidnappers.”
The police confirmed that seven travelers had been kidnapped, and another had been killed on Friday, May 3rd, along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode highway.
Approximately seven gunmen were said to have ambushed and delayed the travelers near the Ilisan, Ceplast industry, and Iperu junction areas of the highway.
According to Odutola, the May 3rd incident, which occurred around 6:55 pm, involved armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping.
Odutola further noted, “We have received reports that about seven armed men with AK-47 rifles blocked the Benin-Sagamu highway.
“The DPO of Ilisan, upon reaching the scene, found two vehicles riddled with bullet holes: a Lexus Jeep 300 with registration number LND 640 DY, driven by Chilaka Lugard, and a Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number LSR 996 JF owned by Kingsley Chineme. Inside the Lexus 350, officers found a bag with N113,000, two iPhones (an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max), and the body of an unidentified man shot in the head.
“There was also a third vehicle filled with plantains; its driver, who was among those kidnapped, was later released and allowed to take the vehicle. Both Lexus vehicles were taken to the Ilishan Police Station.”
Odutola stated that the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, directed the tactical teams and mobile units to pursue these criminals.
She concluded, “The CP has visited the scene of the crime, and efforts are being made to track down these offenders and bring them to justice. We expect their arrest shortly.”
