Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Free 10 Abducted Passengers in Ogun

Ten passengers abducted by gunmen along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road in Ogun State have regained their freedom after a police operation led to the death of a suspected kidnapper.

The victims regained their freedom on Sunday, November 8, following days of security operations and pressure on their abductors.

The passengers, recently discharged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), were travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, when gunmen intercepted their commercial bus.

The attackers struck at about 7pm on Tuesday, November 3, at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, and whisked 10 passengers into a nearby forest.

However, one passenger escaped from the scene and alerted relatives, prompting concerns over the whereabouts of the other occupants.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded an initial ransom of N20m from the victims’ families before raising the amount to N25m. They also issued a 24-hour deadline for payment.

Although the police confirmed the incident, the command clarified that the victims were not serving corps members.

Confirming their release on Sunday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said operatives secured their freedom through sustained security pressure and intelligence-led operations.

Babaseyi disclosed that the police launched a follow-up operation at about 1am on Sunday, when operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road.

He said the operation triggered a gun battle in which officers neutralised one suspected kidnapper, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

The police spokesperson listed an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, N1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone among the items recovered from the hideout.

He added that the command had intensified efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, the police urged residents to remain vigilant and report anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station.

The command said such information could assist investigators in locating the fleeing suspects and bringing them to justice.