Ten passengers abducted by gunmen along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road in Ogun State have regained their freedom following a police rescue operation that also resulted in the death of a suspected kidnapper.
The victims, who were recently discharged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), were travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, when armed men intercepted their commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
While one passenger managed to escape and alert relatives, the remaining ten were taken into a nearby forest by the attackers.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded an initial ransom of ₦20 million, which was later increased to ₦25 million, giving the victims’ families a 24-hour deadline.
However, the Ogun State Police Command announced on Sunday, November 8, that all ten abductees had been safely released following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led operations.
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According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a follow-up operation at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, storming a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road.
A gun battle reportedly erupted during the operation, leaving one suspected kidnapper neutralised, while other gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Police said items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.
The Command disclosed that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
It also urged members of the public to report anyone noticed with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station to assist ongoing investigations
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