Five kidnappers killed in gun duel with police along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The police in Ogun State have killed five suspected kidnappers during a gun battle at their hideout, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. During the operation, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, N5.2 million believed to be proceeds of crime, and three mobile phones. Three kidnapped victims were also rescued unhurt.

According to the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the injured members of the syndicate. In a statement yesterday, Odutola revealed that on January 25, at about 7:00 p.m., the Area Commander in Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway about an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State.

“Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilised a crack team of officers to the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck and were indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic.

“In the chaos, three commuters: Bolaji Bilesanmi, male, 65; Olasunkanmi Idowu, male, 50; and Mohammed Salisu, male, age unknown, were abducted from two vehicles, a Honda Pilot with registration number Lagos EKY113GZ and a Honda Accord with registration number Lagos KJA13QFA, and taken into the forest,” she stated.

Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Dr Lanre Ogunlowo, directed a covert operation led by the command’s anti-kidnapping unit.

“On January 29, 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five kidnappers were fatally injured, while others fled with gunshot wounds,” Odutola added.

Meanwhile, Ogunlowo warned against criminal activities, particularly among young people seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes. He reiterated the command’s commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State.