Three rescued as police kill five kidnappers in Ogun

• The kidnapped victims, who were allegedly abducted along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, were also rescued by the police.

The police in Ogun State say they have killed five suspected kidnappers who abducted three travellers in the Sagamu area of the State.

The kidnapped victims, who were allegedly abducted along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, were also rescued by the police.

The development is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola.

The suspects were said to have abducted the victims after attacking their vehicle near the Ilisan Remo axis of the expressway around 7 pm on Saturday.

Odutola stated that upon receiving a distress call about a robbery, the area commander swiftly mobilised a crack team of officers to the scene.

She stated, “Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic.

“In the ensuing chaos, three commuters — Bolaji Bilesanmi (m, 65), Olasunkanmi Idowu (m, 50), and Mohammed Salisu (m, age unknown) —were abducted into the forest from two vehicles: a Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and a Honda Accord (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).”

Following the directive of Lanre Ogunlowo, the Commissioner of Police, Odutola stated that a covert operation was conducted at the kidnappers’ hideout on January 29, 2025, around 4 pm.

Odutola added that upon spotting the police, the suspects opened fire on the police squad, who returned fire, resulting in the death of five suspects.

She noted that “items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, N5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime), and three mobile phones,” adding that efforts were underway to apprehend the injured members of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.

“He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State,” Odutola stated.