Police Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Two Victims

Operatives of Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims.

The suspects were identified as Mohammed Bello and Mohammed Bashiru.

They were arrested following a distress call from Bisodun village at about 8:00 pm that kidnappers had invaded the community and abducted a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ojo. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the State Police Spokesperson, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said a hunter who joined the Police in the rescue operation died in a gunbattle.

“Upon the distress call, the DPO Owode Egba division, CSP Olasunkanmi Popoola, raced to the scene where he met the local hunters who had already mobilized in large numbers to confront the kidnappers. The Policemen, together with the hunters, stormed the forest in search of the kidnappers and the victims. 

“While combing the bush, the kidnappers suddenly opened fire on the rescue team, which the security men responded to, but one of the hunters was unfortunately hit by the bullet. Having been overwhelmed by the firing from the Police and the hunters, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and ran for cover. 

“The abducted victims and the injured hunter were quickly rushed to the hospital, but the hunter, Adebare Ramoni, gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.”

On Wednesday morning, there was information that the suspects were sighted somewhere in the bush.  A team of Policemen and hunters led by Area Commander Owode Egba, ACP Adeniyi Adedeji, immediately stormed the bush and apprehended two kidnappers. 

The victims have identified the suspects as members of the gang that abducted them. 

While commending the local hunters for their support, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation. 

The CP also sympathized with the family of the deceased hunter and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the unfortunate death.