Ondo police rescue kidnapped 61-year-old woman after gun battle
By Boye Oyeyemi
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have rescued a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle in Owo, recovering the victim’s stolen vehicle during the operation.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operation was carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, following the victim’s abduction in the early hours of June 23.
Jimoh said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of B Division, Owo, received a distress call at about 2:50 a.m. that armed hoodlums had invaded Oladele’s residence, abducted her at gunpoint and fled with her Toyota Matrix car bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.
He explained that the DPO immediately mobilised a tactical team, which launched a coordinated pursuit and intercepted the fleeing suspects around the outskirts and bush area of Ojana Phase 3, where a fierce exchange of gunfire followed.
“The operatives successfully rescued the victim and recovered the stolen vehicle. The suspects fled into the surrounding bush after being overwhelmed by the superior tactical response of the police, while some are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter,” the statement read.
According to the police, exhibits recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to belong to one of the fleeing suspects and a torchlight abandoned during the operation.
“The Commissioner of Police commends the gallantry and swift response of the operatives involved in the rescue operation. The Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and will ensure that all those connected with the crime are identified, arrested and prosecuted,” Jimoh added.
The command further revealed that efforts had been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects, while urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities, stressing that timely information from the public remains crucial in tackling crime across the state.
