By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers and arrested an alleged gang leader, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, during an operation along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis of the state.

Police also arrested another suspect, Mohammed Bello, and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, a single-barrel gun, ₦1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, mobile phones and a black bag.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the operation followed investigations into the abduction of three persons at Ipojo Area, Iperin, Atan-Ijebu, on May 11, 2026.

The victims were released unharmed on May 14 after payment of an unspecified ransom.

Babaseyi said operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout at about 5 a.m. on May 15 following credible intelligence.

“On sighting the Police operatives, the suspects opened fire, leading to a fierce gun duel,” the statement said.

“The operatives responded professionally, resulting in the neutralisation of two of the suspected kidnappers, while other members of the gang escaped into the surrounding forest with varying degrees of bullet injuries.”

The police said the bodies of the dead suspects had been deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.