The police in Ogun State, on Wednesday, rescued three kidnapped victims who were allegedly abducted along the Sagamu- Ijebu Ode Expressway.
DAILY POST gathered that the kidnappers had allegedly abducted the victims after attacking their vehicle near the Ilisan Remo corridor of the expressway on Saturday.
They were taken into the forest from two vehicles, a Honda Pilot registered as Lagos EKY113GZ and a Honda Accord with registration number Lagos KJA13QFA.
The victims are 65- year old Bolaji Bilesanmi, 50 years old Olasunkanmi Idowu and Mohammed Salisu whose age remainied unknown.
The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola in a statement made available to DAILY POST disclosed that the officers in a covert operation conducted at the kidnappers’ hideout at about 4 pm, also neutralised five suspects.
Odutola said, ” On receiving the distress call about a robbery incident, the command swiftly mobilised a crack team of officers to the scene.
“Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic.
“In the ensuing chaos, three commuters — Bolaji Bilesanmi (m, 65), Olasunkanmi Idowu (m, 50), and Mohammed Salisu (m, age unknown) —were abducted into the forest from two vehicles: a Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and a Honda Accord (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).
“Following the directive of Lanre Ogunlowo, the Commissioner of Police, Odutola stated that a covert operation was conducted at the kidnappers’ hideout on January 29, 2025, around 4 pm”.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, N5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime), and three mobile phones.
Odutola added that efforts are underway to arrest the injured members of the syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, issued a stern warning to youths, particularly, those seeking financial gain through criminal activities, reiterating the Command’s unwavering commitment to crackdown all criminal element in the state.