Police raid kidnappers’ den on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

Policemen from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Command have stormed the hideout of some kidnappers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway k!lling five of the suspects in a shoot-out.

Spokesperson of the command, CSP Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, said police operatives rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered N5.2m suspected to be proceeds of crime.

According to the PPRO, the kidnappers set up a roadblock using an articulated truck along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway on Saturday, January 25, opened fire on passengers and whisked the victims into the forest.

In the early hours of Wednesday, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit located the kidnappers’ hideout. Upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle.

“On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene,” the statement read.

“Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic.

“In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).

“The Commissioner of Police, CP. Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

“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 (5) kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.”

“The following items were recovered from the scene: one AK-47 rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition, N5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime), three mobile phones.

“The three (3) kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate.

“The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.

“He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun State.”

See the bodies of the deceased kidnappers below.