Ogun Police killed 3 kidnappers, rescue 7 victims, arrest 38

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Ogun State Police Command has killed three suspected kidnappers, rescued seven kidnap victims and arrested 38 suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering firearms, 75 rounds of live ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 10, 2026, saying the operations were carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies.

Babaseyi said the seven victims were abducted on July 29, 2026, at about 7:40 p.m. along Paraga Street, Ipara, prompting the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army and other security agencies, to launch an operation for their rescue.

According to him, the operation received aerial support on August 3 after Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, requested the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to deploy a Police helicopter to support the ground operation.

He said the combination of intelligence gathering, surveillance, aerial support and coordinated ground operations led to the location and rescue of the seven victims.

The victims were taken to the Police Hospital for treatment, while one of them, who sustained a gunshot injury, received medical attention.

Babaseyi said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit subsequently intensified efforts to track the fleeing members of the gang, leading to an encounter at about 2 a.m. on August 6 along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway.

He said the suspected kidnappers engaged the security operatives in a gun battle, during which three suspected kidnappers were killed, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

Recovered from the hideout were an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, four mobile phones and N2.3 million in cash.

The PPRO said the bodies of the deceased suspects had been deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

In other operations, the Atan-Ota Division arrested 23 foreign nationals on August 4 over an alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences. Twenty-one of the suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, while two were retained by the Police for further investigation.

The Idi Oke Division also arrested 12 suspected cultists following intelligence about alleged harassment and extortion at Harodous Hotel, Lattykay, Igbesa. Police recovered assorted charms, battle axes, knives, cult paraphernalia, eight motorcycles, a Lexus vehicle and an unregistered Toyota Camry.

Similarly, the Itele Division arrested a suspected armed robber, Babatunde Olasunkanmi, after he 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 from him.

Detectives of the Obantoko Division also arrested a suspected fraudster and fake clergyman, Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny”, in Ibadan after four months of investigation.

The Police alleged that Makinde collected about N2.5 million from 18 fellowship members under the pretence of organising a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and promising each member N2 million.

Meanwhile, the Sakura Division recovered an English submachine gun and 75 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a damaged wardrobe in a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord.

The Owode-Egba Division recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux and arrested a 31-year-old man, Samuel Adetunji, over the alleged theft of a commercial tricycle, which was later recovered.

The Sagamu Division also recovered an abandoned red Bajaj motorcycle, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding its abandonment continued.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended Governor Abiodun for his support, particularly his intervention which facilitated the deployment of the Police helicopter.

Ojajuni also commended the officers and men of the command, the DSS, Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their collaboration and operational support.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, strategic patrols, rapid response and sustained inter-agency collaboration to disrupt criminal activities and bring perpetrators to justice.

The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the Police.