NB247
The Ondo State Police Command has said its operatives neutralised two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in Ilu Abo along the Akure–Owo Expresswa, in Akure North LGA of the state.
A statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi said on Wednesday that the incident occurred about 3:30am when a patrol team from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call regarding the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School along the Akure–Owo Expressway.
He said preliminary reports reveal that about seven masked armed men invaded the premises of the block industry and demanded to see the owner.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilized to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” he said.
“Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered.”
Mr Jimoh said the bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for preservation and other necessary procedures, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
He also said the Command had commenced efforts to track and apprehend the fleeing members of the gang, who were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
He urged residents, particularly healthcare providers and members of the public to promptly report any individual presenting suspicious gunshot injuries or exhibiting suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
“This operation further underscores the unwavering resolve of the Ondo State Police Command to rid the State of kidnapping and other violent crimes,” the police image maker said.
“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to deploying intelligence-led policing, strengthening operational responses, and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven within Ondo State.”
He also appreciated members of the public for their continued cooperation and encouraged them to provide timely and credible information that will aid ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
About a week ago the scourge of Kidnapping In the state was also underscored by the arrest of a father and three of his sons by the Ondo State Security Network(Amotekun) after they found to be involved in several Kidnapping activities in the Akoko area of the state.
The 56-year-old Iliasu and his three sons — Usman, 33; Wahab, 27; and Yakubu, 18 —were arrested over the alleged abduction of a man in Oba Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The security agency said the family used cattle reading for their nefarious activities, even as Usman, the eldest son, has been on the run after he appeared in Amotekun’s watch list for Kidnapping.