The Ondo State Police Command has neutralised two suspected kidnappers following a fierce gun battle with operatives at Ilu-Abo along the Akure–Owo Expressway.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the incident occurred after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo, responded to a distress call over the activities of suspected armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the statement, about seven masked gunmen stormed the block industry and demanded to see the owner before the police patrol team arrived at the scene.
On sighting the operatives, the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally shot, while the remaining members of the gang fled into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the scene include a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, and two ATM cards believed to belong to the suspects or their victims.
The police said the bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and appealed to healthcare providers and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious movements.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing. He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to assist security agencies in protecting lives and property across the state.
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