Police rescue 10 kidnapped passengers in Ogun, kill one suspect

The Ogun State Police Command has saved 10 passengers who were taken by gunmen from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu. One suspected kidnapper was killed during the operation that followed.

The victims were freed unharmed around 8:30 PM on Saturday. This happened after the police put strong pressure on the kidnappers and used good intelligence.

The police shared this information in a statement on Sunday. The statement was made by their Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Babaseyi explained that operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided the kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road around 1 AM on Sunday. This led to a gun battle.

"Following strong security pressure and good intelligence to secure their freedom, the victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30 PM on 7 November 2026," part of the statement read.

He mentioned that one suspected kidnapper was killed during the fight, while others ran away with gunshot wounds.

"In a follow-up operation at about 1:00 AM on 8 November, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, where a gun battle ensued."

The police spokesperson said that items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, N1,376,800 in cash, and a mobile phone.

The passengers were kidnapped from the commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, on Tuesday.

The police command has stepped up efforts to catch the suspects who are still on the run. They are asking the public to report anyone they see with unusual gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through other police channels.

"The command has intensified efforts to catch the fleeing suspects and urges members of the public to promptly report anyone sighted with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police channels," the statement said.