The Lagos State Police Command has launched a massive manhunt for members of a notorious kidnapping gang who escaped after a botched abduction attempt in the Ladipo area on July 9.
Nine gang members were neutralized during the operation, and the police are now working to uncover the identities of the deceased and fleeing suspects through electronic and intelligence investigations.
According to a police source, one of the deceased suspects was a twin, and his brother, who resides in a Lagos suburb, has fled after learning of his sibling’s death.
The police are following up on leads to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.
The police had been monitoring the gang for eight months, tracking their involvement in multiple kidnappings in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo areas.
The command’s tactical team acted on intelligence to intercept the gang, leading to the shootout that neutralized the nine suspects.
“The detectives have discovered that one of them is a twin and they live together in one of the suburbs. The twin brother knew about what happened to his brother and as a result fled their residence,” the source said.
The police source further stated that one of the fleeing members of the gang was traced to a popular city in the North, and efforts were ongoing to apprehend him.
Meanwhile, the owner of a popular fun spot in the area where the incident occurred was also arrested as it was said to be a location where some of the gang members regularly visit.
“The owner of one of the popular beer parlours where the kidnappers regularly visit is already in police custody. He is helping the police with useful information,” the source added.
Hundeyin had in a statement issued after the incident, disclosed that the command had received an intelligence report about the plan of the dangerous gang to attack some residents of the area two weeks earlier.
He said, “Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, directed the command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully, and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in the Ladipo area of Lagos State.
“With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them. The kidnappers who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot-out. They, of course, bowed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine of them were neutralised while two escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects. It is worthy of note that the command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnapping of wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo areas of Lagos State. We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.”
Hundeyin added, “Four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semiautomatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one Point of Service machine, a loudspeaker and two operational vehicles: one black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350” were recovered from the suspects.
The PPRO could not be reached for a reaction as calls made to his phone were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time of filing this report.
