Two suspected kidnappers have been killed and two others arrested following a deadly gun duel with operatives of the Ogun State Police Command along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis.
According to police authorities, the raid followed intelligence gathered after the kidnapping of three persons earlier in the week at Iperin, Atan-Ijebu.
The victims were later released on Thursday after an undisclosed ransom was reportedly paid. However, security operatives intensified surveillance immediately after the release to track down the gang responsible.
Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday.
He explained that the operation was executed in the early hours of Friday after credible intelligence led officers to a suspected hideout along the busy highway.
During the ongoing kidnapping crackdown, officers reportedly encountered armed resistance from the suspects.
“On sighting the Police operatives, the suspects opened fire, leading to a fierce gun duel,” Babaseyi stated.
He further noted that the operatives responded with superior firepower, which resulted in the neutralisation of two suspects, while others fled into nearby forests with gunshot injuries.
Moreover, follow-up operations led to the arrest of a suspected gang leader, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, alongside another member identified as Mohammed Bello. Both were reportedly taken into custody for further interrogation and investigation.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of ammunition, a single-barrel gun, ₦1,500,000 believed to be ransom proceeds, several mobile phones, and a black bag.
Furthermore, the police confirmed that the bodies of the deceased suspects had been deposited in a morgue for autopsy, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate. Investigations are also being expanded to uncover wider connections within the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their courage and professionalism, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across Ogun State.
