Ayomide Awe
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers in Awa-Ijebu, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of the state, following a four-day security operation that culminated in a gun battle with the criminal gang.
The victims, who were reportedly abducted from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, on November 3, regained their freedom at about 8:30pm on Saturday, November 7, according to the police.
The rescue was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who said the operation followed sustained intelligence gathering and security pressure mounted on the abductors.
In a further operation, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit reportedly stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road at about 1am on Sunday.
The operation triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire between the police operatives and the suspected criminals, resulting in the death of one suspected kidnapper, while other members of the gang reportedly escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.
Babaseyi disclosed that the operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, the sum of ₦1,376,800 and a mobile phone from the suspected hideout.
He added that the command had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
The police spokesman also urged residents to remain vigilant and report anyone found with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police communication channels.
The latest development comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping and other security threats in parts of Ogun State, particularly along major highways and rural communities.
The police command, however, reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents and travellers across the state.
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