By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Police Command in Ogun has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested two others during an intelligence-led operation in Atan area of Ijebu in the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Babaseyi said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following investigations into the abduction of three persons at Ipojo area, Iperin, Atan-Ijebu.

He explained that the victims were kidnapped on Monday and later released unharmed on Thursday after payment of an unspecified ransom.

According to him, police operatives intensified efforts to apprehend members of the gang responsible for the abduction after the victims regained freedom.

Babaseyi said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan road at about 5am on Friday.

He said that the suspects opened fire on sighting the operatives, leading to a gun duel between the hoodlums and the police team.

The police spokesperson said two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the exchange, while others escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries.

He added that further operations led to the arrest of the suspected kingpin, Seriki Abdullahi, and another gang member, Mohammed Bello.

“The operatives responded professionally, resulting in the neutralisation of two of the suspected kidnappers.

“Other members of the gang escaped into the surrounding forest with varying degrees of bullet injuries,” he said.

Babaseyi said the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 10 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition and one single-barrel gun from the suspects.

He further disclosed that the police also recovered N1.5 million suspected ransom proceeds, several mobile phones and a black bag linked to the operation.

According to him, the corpses of the neutralised suspects have been deposited at a morgue for autopsy in line with standard procedure.

He said investigations were ongoing to unravel the gang’s network and arrest fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their gallantry, professionalism and resilience during the operation.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ogun. (NAN)

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