Police recover ₦5.2 million from kidnappers, rescue three victims along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway 

CITIZENS COMPASS– Men of the Ogun State Police Command on Wednesday, recovered ₦5.2 million from some suspected kidnappers and rescued three victims along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The victims were Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’.

Five suspected kidnappers were fatally injured in a fierce battle with the Police.

The suspects met their Waterloo following an illegal checkpoint mounted by some gunmen who opened fire on armless travellers along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway leading three of them into the bush.

It was gathered that Policemen from Sagamu received distress calls and swung into action.

The outcome led to the rescuing of the victims while five suspects were fatally injured with others fleeing with bullet wounds.

Confirming the operation, Ogun State Commissioner for Police,Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. through a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Command, Omolola Odutola said, “On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized 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’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. On January 29, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout, and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“The following items were recovered from the scene: One AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, ₦5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime), three mobile phones.

“The three kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. “Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes. He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State.”