Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have killed a suspected kidnap kingpin during a gun battle in the Orile Ilugun Forest area along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.
The operation, carried out by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition, N2m suspected to be ransom proceeds, and two mobile phones.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to him, the operation followed the rescue of a kidnapping victim who was abducted on May 14 at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway in Odeda Local Government Area of the state.
Babaseyi said the victim regained freedom unharmed on May 18 at about 8:30 p.m. after being released by the abductors.
He explained that operatives subsequently launched intensified intelligence-driven efforts aimed at tracking down members of the gang responsible for the abduction.
The police spokesman stated that the operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in the forest at about 6 a.m. on May 19 following credible intelligence.
According to him, the suspects opened fire on sighting the police team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, which led to the neutralisation of the gang leader, while other members of the syndicate escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries,” the statement read.
Babaseyi added that the recovered exhibits included an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, N2m believed to be ransom money, and two mobile phones.
He noted that the body of the slain suspect had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and bravery during the operation.
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency channels.
The latest operation came barely days after the command neutralised two suspected kidnappers and arrested an alleged gang leader identified as Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi alongside another suspect, Mohammed Bello, during a separate intelligence-led operation.
Items recovered during the earlier raid included an AK-47 rifle, a single-barrel gun, N1.5m suspected to be ransom proceeds, mobile phones, and a black bag.
Police authorities said the earlier operation followed investigations into the abduction of three persons in the Ipojo area of Ijebu Ode on May 11, 2026.