The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers in the Awa-Ijebu area of the state, following a security operation that led to the death of one of the alleged gang members.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area on November 3, 2026.
They regained their freedom at about 8.30pm on Saturday, November 7, without sustaining any injuries, following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led operations by the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a follow-up operation at about 1am on November 8, targeting the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road.
According to him, the operation resulted in a gun duel between the police and the suspected criminals, during which one of the suspects was neutralised.
Babaseyi added that other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, N1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.
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The police spokesman said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
He urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security operatives, particularly advising members of the public to report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot injuries to the nearest police station.
“The command is intensifying efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Members of the public are therefore urged to promptly report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police channels,” he said.
He stressed that public cooperation was essential to preventing further criminal activities and ensuring the arrest of the fleeing gang members.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.