Police rescue 10 passengers abducted in Ogun, launch manhunt for fleeing gang

The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by gunmen from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, following sustained security operations that led to the killing of a suspected kidnapper.

The victims, who were abducted on November 3, regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30 pm on Saturday, November 7, after security operatives mounted pressure on their captors through intelligence-led operations.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, saying operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit subsequently raided the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road.

The operation, which took place at about 1 am on November 8, reportedly triggered a gun battle between the security operatives and members of the suspected kidnapping gang.

One suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the encounter, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.

Babaseyi said the command had intensified efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, urging residents to provide useful information that could assist security operatives.

He particularly advised members of the public to report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police communication channels.

The police command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ogun State, while calling for public cooperation in the ongoing efforts to bring the fleeing suspects to justice.