Five kidnappers shot dead as police rescue victims in Ogun

Ogun State Police Command successfully rescued three kidnapped victims on January 29, 2025, following a swift operation that led to a gunfight with a gang of kidnappers along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.

On January 25, 2025, around 7:00 PM, the Area Commander of Sagamu received a distress call from commuters about an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan. Upon arrival, officers discovered a roadblock set up by a group of unidentified gunmen using an articulated truck.

The gunmen indiscriminately opened fire on passengers in two vehicles, a Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and a Honda Accord (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA), causing widespread panic. In the chaos, three commuters—Bolaji Bilesanmi (65), Olasunkanmi Idowu (50), and Mohammed Salisu (age unknown)—were abducted and taken into the nearby forest.

In response, Commissioner of Police, Dr. Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered an urgent covert operation led by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The team located the kidnappers’ hideout in the early hours of January 29.

Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers engaged in a fierce gun battle. The confrontation resulted in five kidnappers being fatally wounded, while others fled with gunshot injuries.

During the operation, police recovered several items from the scene, including one AK-47 rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, ₦5.2 million believed to be proceeds from the crime, and three mobile phones.

The three kidnapped victims were freed unharmed. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the criminal gang.

Commissioner Ogunlowo has warned against criminal activities, particularly among youth seeking financial gain through violent crimes, and reiterated the police’s commitment to combating crime in Ogun State.

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