Ogun Police arrest three kidnappers while collecting ransom

By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Ogun State police command said it has arrested three members of a kidnap syndicates while they were about collecting ransom for two men kidnapped at Abule Oba Alamala along Ayetoro road, Abeokuta North local government area of the state.

The suspects are Abubakar Sodiq, 26, 24-year-old Ibrahim Kuaki, and Muhammadu Dio, 22. They were said to have been arrested on Tuesday.

The operation was said to have been carried out in conjunction with men of 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Abeokuta and men of So Safe Corps.

According to statement from the Spokesman of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the alleged kidnappers were arrested following a report lodged at Ilupeju divisional headquarters that two men, who had gone to work at Abule Oba Alamala along Ayetoro road were kidnapped by some gunmen.

Upon this report, the DPO, Sabo Ilupeju was said to have mobilized his men in collaboration with men of Nigeria army and So Safe Corps and they jointly embarked on aggressive bush combing in search of the victims and the suspects.

The statement revealed that while the exercise was going on, the security operatives received information that the suspects had contacted the families of the victims and asked them to bring ransom for those kidnapped somewhere in the area.

It stated further that having received the information, the operatives swiftly moved to the area and laid ambush for the hoodlums and not quite long, the hoodlums appeared to collect the ransom and the operatives engaged them in gun duel.

The police explained that when the kidnappers realized that they were about to be overpowered, they took to their heels but were hotly chased and three among them were apprehended. Other members of the gang were said to have escaped with gunshot injuries making them to  eventually abandoned their victims, who were rescued unhurt and had since reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, who expressed satisfaction with the performance of the officers, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to anti kidnapping unit of state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

He also directed that the escaped members of the gang be hunted for and brought to justice. The CP therefore appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injuries is seen in their area.