The Ogun State Police Command has rescued seven kidnap victims, neutralised three suspected kidnappers and arrested 38 suspects in separate operations across the state.
The operations, conducted between July 29 and August 6, also led to the recovery of firearms, 75 rounds of live ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, cash and other exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said the results reflected the command’s renewed focus on intelligence led policing, rapid response and collaboration with other security agencies.
The seven victims were abducted on July 29 along Paraga Street, Ipara, Ogun State. Following the incident, the command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit commenced intelligence gathering and coordinated operations with the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and other agencies.
Additional aerial support was deployed on August 3 after Governor Dapo Abiodun appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for assistance. A Police Air Wing helicopter was subsequently deployed to support the ground operation.
The combined surveillance and ground operations eventually led security personnel to the location where the seven victims were held. They were rescued and taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention, with one of them receiving treatment for a gunshot injury.
Police and DSS operatives later stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Sagamu Abeokuta Expressway at about 2am on August 6. The suspects reportedly engaged the operatives in a gun battle, leaving three suspected kidnappers dead while others escaped with possible gunshot injuries.
An AK 47 rifle, an empty magazine, four mobile phones and N2.3 million were recovered from the hideout. The bodies of the deceased suspects were deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy.
In another operation, police in Itele arrested a suspected armed robber, Babatunde Olasunkanmi, after two men allegedly attempted to rob a commercial motorcyclist at gunpoint. A locally fabricated cut to size double barrel pistol, charms, a mobile phone and an ATM card were recovered.
Atan Ota police also arrested 23 foreign nationals during a raid on a residential building in Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu Ota, over alleged Ponzi and visa scam activities. Twenty one suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, while two remained in police custody for investigation into alleged obtaining by false pretence.
Meanwhile, detectives in Obantoko arrested a suspected fraudster and self styled clergyman, Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as Pastor Kenny, after four months of investigation. Police alleged that he collected about N2.5 million from 18 fellowship members over a purported government sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
The Sakura Division recovered an English submachine gun and 75 rounds of live ammunition from a damaged wardrobe in a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord. Police said the exhibits would undergo ballistic examination.
The Idi Oke Division also arrested 12 suspected cultists during an operation at Harodous Hotel, Lattykay, Igbesa, following reports of harassment and extortion. Police recovered charms, battle axes, knives, cult paraphernalia, eight motorcycles, a Lexus vehicle and an unregistered Toyota Camry.
Other operations resulted in the recovery of a stolen Toyota Hilux along the Alapako Ogunmakin Road and a stolen commercial tricycle in Abeokuta, while police in Sagamu recovered an abandoned Bajaj motorcycle at Trailer Park, Kara, Sabo Sagamu.
Ojajuni commended the governor, police personnel, the DSS, Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their support and collaboration. He said the command would sustain intelligence led operations, strategic patrols and rapid response to disrupt criminal networks.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police, assuring them that the command would continue working to protect lives and property across Ogun State.