Segun Atanda/
Barely three days after smashing a notorious kidnapping syndicate in the Atan-Ijebu area of Ogun, the State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough with the neutralisation of a suspected kidnapping kingpin during a fierce gun battle in a forest hideout along the Abeokuta–Ibadan Expressway.
The latest operation underscores the intensified anti-kidnapping crackdown being spearheaded by the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, whose command has sustained aggressive intelligence-led operations against violent criminal networks across the state.
NewsmakersNG learnt that operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a criminal hideout within the Orile Ilugun Forest axis in the early hours of today following actionable intelligence gathered after the release of a kidnap victim abducted days earlier.
Police said the victim had been kidnapped on May 14 at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta–Ibadan Expressway in Odeda Local Government Area before regaining freedom unharmed on May 18 at about 8:30 p.m. after spending days in captivity.
Following the victim’s release, detectives intensified efforts to track down the gang responsible for the abduction.
The operation came barely 72 hours after the Command neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested a gang kingpin linked to the abduction of three persons at Ipojo Area, Iperin, Atan-Ijebu.
In the latest raid, police operatives reportedly came under heavy gunfire as the suspects attempted to resist arrest from their forest base.
“The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, leading to the neutralization of the gang’s kingpin, while other members of the syndicate fled into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the Command said in a statement issued by its spokesman, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
Recovered from the scene were an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.6mm live ammunition, ₦2 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, and two mobile phones believed to belong to members of the gang.
The corpse of the neutralised suspect has been deposited at a morgue for autopsy, while security operatives have launched a manhunt for fleeing members of the syndicate.
The latest success adds to a string of recent anti-crime victories recorded by the Ogun State Police Command in its ongoing battle against kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes troubling parts of the state.
CP Ojajuni commended the gallantry and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation, reaffirming the Command’s determination to rid Ogun State of criminal elements.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines and the Gateway Shield toll-free platform: 0800 000 9111; Emergency Lines: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.
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