In a daring gun duel, anti-kidnapping police operatives in Ogun State have successfully neutralized two suspected kidnappers in the Owode-Egba area, leading to the rescue of their captives.
The victims, who had been held for six days in the forest, were ambushed and kidnapped on July 15 in the Ajebo area, where they had gone to inspect land they intended to buy.
Persecondnews learnt that the kidnappers had initially demanded a N50 million ransom, which was later negotiated down to N6 million, in addition to demanding food for the captives.
Following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering, Police Commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo swiftly deployed the command’s anti-kidnapping unit to comb the Owode-Egba forests.
This decisive action led to the rescue of the victims and the neutralization of the two kidnappers, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Commissioner Ogunlowo lauded the swift and tactical response of the operatives and assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
CSP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the command said: “The Ogun State Police Command, in its continuous commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining a firm stance against violent crime, recorded a significant breakthrough in a kidnapping case reported on 16th July, 2025.
“The incident involved the abduction of three individuals around Ajebo, under the jurisdiction of the Owode-Egba Division.
“Following expert monitoring, on 18th July, 2025, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed intelligence surveillance in the area and rescued the three victims unharmed at about 2100 hrs.
“During the operation, the kidnappers engaged the police team in a gun duel. In the ensuing exchange of fire, two of the kidnappers were fatally wounded, while others escaped deeper into the forest with gunshot injuries.”
Odutola listed items recovered at the scene as an AK-47 rifle with breech number 5005584, loaded with 139 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition; one magazine; a cutlass; a chain and padlock believed to have been used to restrain the victims; a mobile phone; and the sum of N1,200,035 suspected to be proceeds of crime.
“The Command remains resolute in its zero-tolerance approach to kidnapping and other violent crimes in Ogun State,” Odutola added.
She also recalled a similar operation conducted earlier this year, during which five suspected kidnappers were gunned down in a shootout along the Lagos-Ibadan Road.
Items recovered in that operation included one AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6 mm calibre ammunition, N5.2m (suspected to be proceeds of crime), and three mobile phones.
On the command’s recent operational exploits, Odutola said: “Since his assumption of office, CP Ogunlowo, who works tirelessly behind the scenes, has remained consistent in keeping kidnappers out of Ogun State and maintains a track record of going after criminal elements.”
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