Officers from the Ogun State Police Command eliminated two kidnappers who were causing fear among travelers on the Sagamu Ijebu-Ode-Benin expressway.
The kidnappers were fatally shot by the police during a gun battle on Tuesday while they were trying to rescue someone.
The police also discovered N7.9 million and 1500 Indian Rupees which they suspect was part of the money collected from their victims.
The police, with the help of local Vigilantes, managed to free three Indian Nationals; Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan and Medani Kathiwada, who had been kidnapped on May 3rd, during a rescue mission at around 4:30 pm.
SP Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the command, shared this information in a statement sent to journalists on Monday.
Odutola explained that the Manager of Breeze Company Nigeria Limited made a distress call to the DPO of Mowe Divisional headquarters regarding how a group of kidnappers had opened fire on two Hilux buses carrying his principals at Kajola junction along Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta expressway on May 3.
The statement partly reads, “The anti-kidnapping section of the command, in collaboration with police formations in the area and other local security agents, immediately took action to search the area.
“The police engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, rescuing the victims unhurt in the forest along Benin-Sagamu Papalanto at about 1630hrs of 7th May 2024.
“During the confrontation, two of the six kidnappers were killed, and two AK 47 rifles, one single barrel locally made gun, one sword, cell phone and criminal charms, as well as 65 rounds of ammunition, were recovered.
“The likely ransom of Seven million nine hundred thousand naira (#7.900.000) and one thousand five hundred Rupees (Indian currency) were found on the two dead kidnappers.
“The two deceased suspects have been taken to the public mortuary, while intense efforts are underway to apprehend the four remaining members of the kidnap gang”.
The police also confirmed the kidnapping of seven travelers and the killing of another person on Friday, May 3 on the Sagamu- Ijebu-Ode expressway.
Around seven gunmen attacked the travelers in between the Ilisan, Ceplast industry, and Iperu junction axis of the expressway.
Odutola said that the incident, which happened on May 3 around 6:55 pm, was reported as a case of armed robbery, murder and kidnapping.
She mentioned that “about seven people with A.K 47 suddenly blocked the Benin-Sagamu expressway.
“The DPO of Ilisan saw two vehicles pierced with bullets: a Lexus Jeep 300 with registration number LND 640 DY, and a Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number LSR 996 JF belonging to Kingsley Chineme. The Lexus 350 car contained N113,000, two iPhones; an iPhone Six and an iPhone Eleven Promax.
“A man whose identity is not known was found dead with a gunshot to the head.
“The third vehicle was carrying plantains and the driver, who was kidnapped but has since been released, was allowed to take the vehicle. The other Lexus vehicles have been taken to Ilishan Police Station”.
Odutola mentioned that the state's Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu, has instructed the tactical leaders and mobile squadron to pursue these unwanted individuals.
She stated, “The CP visited the site of the incident, and a lot of effort is being made to capture these individuals and bring them to justice for their crimes. I can guarantee that the criminals will be caught very soon”.
