By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have neutralized a suspected kidnapping kingpin during a gun battle at a forest hideout along the Abeokuta–Ibadan Expressway, recovering an AK-47 rifle, twenty rounds of live ammunition, and N2 million cash.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, took place in the Orile Ilugun Forest axis of Ogun State following intelligence gathered after the release of a kidnap victim abducted last week.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the victim was kidnapped on May 14, 2026, at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta–Ibadan Expressway in the Odeda area of the state disclosing that the victim regained freedom unharmed on May 18 at about 8:30 p.m. after being released by the abductors.
He explained that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad thereafter intensified intelligence-driven efforts to track down members of the gang responsible for the abduction.
The police spokesman said the breakthrough came in the early hours of Tuesday when operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout within the Orile Ilugun Forest axis at about 6:00 a.m.
“On sighting the police operatives, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a fierce gun duel,” he stated.
According to him, the operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, leading to the neutralization of the gang leader, while other members of the syndicate escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle loaded with twenty rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, the sum of N2 million suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities, and two mobile phones.
Babaseyi added that the corpse of the neutralized suspect had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy in line with standard procedures, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their gallantry, professionalism, and resilience during the operation.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and criminal activities through its emergency lines.