The Ogun State Police Command said it killed a suspected kidnap kingpin during an operation in Orile Ilugun Forest along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
The Anti-kidnapping Unit stormed the hideout at about 6:00 a.m. on May 19, hours after a kidnap victim regained freedom unharmed. Police said the victim was abducted on May 14 at Nufats Fuel Station in Odeda and released at about 8:30 p.m. on May 18.
According to Police Public Relations Officer Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspects opened fire on sighting operatives, leading to a gun duel. Officers responded with superior firepower and neutralized the gang’s leader. Other members escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries.
Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, ₦2 million in cash, and two mobile phones.
The body of the neutralized suspect has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy. Police said a manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing gang members.
Babaseyi said the operation followed intelligence gathered after the victim’s release. He urged residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
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The command said it remains committed to ridding Ogun State of kidnappers and other violent criminals.
Days earlier, police said they neutralized two suspected kidnappers and arrested a suspected kingpin, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, and another gang member, Mohammed Bello. That operation led to the recovery of an AK-47, a single-barrelled gun, ₦1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, mobile phones, and a black bag.
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