The Ogun State Police Command has neutralised two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel in the Owode-Egba area of the state.

This comes as three victims who were abducted from the Ajebo community on July 16 were rescued unhurt from a forest in the area.

In an exclusive statement to PUNCH Metro on Saturday evening, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, revealed that the kidnappers had stormed the community and whisked away three residents earlier in the week.

According to Odutola, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, promptly deployed the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to comb the forest following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering.

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She said, “The Ogun State Police Command, in its continuous commitment to ensuring the safety of all citizens and maintaining a firm stance against violent crime, recorded a significant breakthrough in a kidnapping case reported on 16th July, 2025.

“The incident involved the abduction of three individuals around Ajebo, under the jurisdiction of the Owode-Egba Division.

“Following expert monitoring, on 18th July, 2025, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit deployed intelligence surveillance in the area and rescued the three victims unharmed at about 2100 hrs.

“During the operation, the kidnappers engaged the police team in a gun duel. In the ensuing exchange of fire, two of the kidnappers were fatally wounded, while others escaped deeper into the forest with gunshot injuries.”

Odutola said items recovered at the scene included an AK-47 rifle with breech number 5005584, loaded with 139 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition; one magazine; a cutlass; a chain and padlock believed to have been used to restrain the victims; a mobile phone; and the sum of N1,200,035 suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Commending the operatives, Ogunlowo praised the swift and tactical response of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“The Command remains resolute in its zero-tolerance approach to kidnapping and other violent crimes in Ogun State,” Odutola added.

She also recalled a similar operation conducted earlier this year, during which five suspected kidnappers were gunned down in a shootout along the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway.

Items recovered in that operation included one AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 5.6 mm calibre ammunition, N5.2m (suspected to be proceeds of crime), and three mobile phones.

Commenting on the command’s recent successes, Odutola said, “Since his assumption of office, CP Ogunlowo, who works tirelessly behind the scenes, has remained consistent in keeping kidnappers out of Ogun State and maintains a track record of going after criminal elements.” (The PUNCH)