A daring police operation has resulted in the killing of five kidnappers and the rescue of three abducted commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The incident occurred on January 25, 2025, when a group of unidentified gunmen set up a roadblock near Ilishan, Ogun State, and opened fire on unarmed passengers.
According to a statement by the Ogun State Police Command, the Area Commander, Sagamu, received a distress call from commuters and swiftly mobilized a team of officers to the scene. Upon arrival, the officers discovered that three commuters had been abducted into the forest from two vehicles.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to rescue the abducted victims. 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 police recovered one AK-47 rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, ₦5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime), and three mobile phones from the scene.
The three kidnapped victims, identified as Bolaji Bilesanmi, 65, Olasunkanmi Idowu, 50, and Mohammed Salisu (age unknown), regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police has strongly warned against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes. He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State.
