DSP: Oluseyi Babaseyi
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin during a fierce gun battle in the Orile Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.
The operation, carried out by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, marks the second major breakthrough against kidnapping syndicates in the state within one week.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the raid was intelligence-driven and followed the recent rescue of a kidnapping victim abducted on May 14, 2026, at a fuel station along the expressway in Odeda Local Government Area. The victim was freed unharmed on May 18.
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Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in the early hours of May 19. Upon sighting the officers, the suspects reportedly opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire.
“The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of the gang’s kingpin, while other members fled into the forest with gunshot injuries,” the statement revealed.
Items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦2 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, and two mobile phones.
The body of the slain suspect has been deposited in a morgue for autopsy, while efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing gang members.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their bravery, professionalism, and resilience.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to eradicating kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ogun State.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.
This latest success comes just days after another operation in which police neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested additional members of a kidnapping syndicate, recovering weapons and ransom money.
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