Operatives of the Ogun Police Command engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle on Thursday, resulting in the death of five of the assailants.
The incident occurred in response to the kidnapping of Tunde Osifowokan, the farm manager of Flourishing Poultry Farm in Idowa, Odogbolu Local Government area, Ogun State.
Masked gunmen had raided the poultry farm earlier in the week, demanding the whereabouts of the farm owner. Upon learning that Osifowokan, the owner’s younger brother, was present, they abducted him amidst heavy gunfire.
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, revealed that the police had been pursuing the armed gang since the abduction.
“Our anti-kidnapping unit stormed the kidnappers’ hideout at Odogbolu forest along Sagamu-Benin expressway,” Alamutu stated. “A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the neutralization of five out of the eight kidnappers, while the rest escaped with injuries.”
Alamutu disclosed that recovered from the deceased kidnappers were a cash sum of N1,185,070, suspected to be part of the ransom collected, as well as weapons, cellphones, drugs, charms, and ammunition.
Fortunately, Tunde Osifowokan was rescued unharmed during the operation.
The bodies of the deceased kidnappers were taken to a General Hospital for autopsy, while the police intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
