In a dramatic and high-stakes operation, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit neutralized five suspected kidnappers in a deadly shootout along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The successful rescue mission also saw three abducted victims freed unscathed, while authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, and a staggering ₦5.2 million, suspected to be proceeds of ransom payments.
The criminals had executed their sinister plot on Saturday, January 25, 2025, when they blocked the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway with an articulated truck, firing indiscriminately at travelers and abducting multiple victims into a nearby forest. Panic-stricken commuters immediately raised the alarm, prompting an urgent response from law enforcement.
According to CSP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, intelligence-led tracking efforts swiftly uncovered the hideout of the notorious gang. Acting under the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, a crack team of operatives launched a covert operation at the kidnappers’ den in the early hours of Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
Upon storming the hideout at approximately 4:00 AM, officers encountered fierce resistance as the heavily armed criminals opened fire in a desperate attempt to evade capture. The well-coordinated police team returned fire, engaging the assailants in a gunfight that lasted several minutes. When the dust settled, five kidnappers lay fatally wounded, while the rest managed to flee into the dense forest with gunshot injuries.
The three rescued victims—identified as Bolaji Bilesanmi (65), Olasunkanmi Idowu (50), and Mohammed Salisu (age unknown)—were swiftly taken to safety. Their ordeal ended without harm, thanks to the swift and decisive intervention of security forces.
Recovered Items & Ongoing Manhunt
Police combed the scene of the shootout, recovering:
✅ One AK-47 rifle
✅ 10 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition
✅ ₦5.2 million in cash, believed to be ransom money
✅ Three mobile phones
Meanwhile, CP Lanre Ogunlowo has ordered an intensive manhunt for the remaining kidnappers, who are believed to be hiding in nearby villages with severe gunshot wounds. Authorities are urging hospitals and traditional healers to report any individuals seeking urgent treatment for bullet injuries.
This latest police breakthrough serves as a stern warning to criminal elements terrorizing highways and communities. The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to crushing banditry and ensuring the safety of residents and commuters along major travel routes.
As security forces intensify their operations, the message is clear: Kidnappers will find no refuge—only swift and decisive justice.
PIONEER NEWS 