Ogun State Police Command has successfully neutralized two kidnappers terrorizing travelers on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Benin expressway.
The kidnappers were killed in a gun duel with police operatives during a rescue operation on Tuesday.
The police also recovered N7.9 million and 1,500 Indian Rupees, suspected to be part of the ransom collected from their victims.
Additionally, three Indian nationals – Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan, and Medani Kathiwada – who were abducted on May 3, were rescued during the operation.
The rescue operation was carried out at 4:30 pm with the support of local vigilantes. The police received a distress call from the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited on May 4, reporting that a gang of kidnappers opened fire on two Hilux buses conveying 16 people, including his principals, at Kajola junction along the Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta expressway on May 3.
The police spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Monday, highlighting the success of the operation and the relief for the victims and their families.
The statement reads, “In response, the PMF escort attached to the first bus with Reg. No FST 686 YH exchanged fire with the kidnappers and managed to escape with all the occupants in the first vehicle, while three Indian Nationals, namely, Tejaram Chauhan ‘m’, Kaduwal Pradhan ‘m’ and Medani Kathiwada ‘m’, all inside the second bus without police escort were all kidnapped to an unknown destination”.
“The Anti-kidnapping Section of the Command in concert with Police formations in the axis with other local security agents swung into action by combing the area, policemen engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle confronting the kidnappers in the forest along Benin-Sagamu Papalanto at about 1630hrs of 7th May 2024, and succeeded in the rescue of the victims unhurt. In the course of the encounter, two of the six kidnappers were demobilized, two AK 47 riffles, one single barrel locally made gun, one sword, cell phone and criminal charms and 65 round of ammunition were also recovered”.
“The likely ransom loot of the two demobilized kidnappers of the sum of Seven million nine hundred thousand naira (#7.900.000) and one thousand five hundred Rupees of (Indian currency) were also recovered”.
“The two demobilized suspect have been deposited at the public mortuary, while intensive efforts are ongoing to arrest the four fleeing members of the kidnap gang” SP Odutola said.
The police have been working tirelessly to combat kidnapping and other crimes in the state, and this successful operation is a testament to their dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens.
