By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Ogun State Police Command has neutralised a suspected kidnapping kingpin during an intelligence-led operation at a criminal hideout in the Orile Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.

Police operatives also recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition, N2 million cash and two mobile phones from the scene.

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

According to him, the operation followed the release of a kidnapping victim who was abducted on May 14, 2026, at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway in Odeda Local Government Area.

Babaseyi said the victim regained freedom unharmed on May 18 at about 8:30 p.m., after which operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit intensified efforts to track down members of the gang responsible for the abduction.

“On May 19, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed the kidnappers’ hideout within the Orile Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway,” the statement said.

He explained that the suspects opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun duel.

“The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, leading to the neutralisation of the gang’s kingpin, while other members of the syndicate escaped into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” Babaseyi added.

He noted that the corpse of the suspect had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their bravery and professionalism, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.