Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have neutralised two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle in Ilu-Abo community near Akure, along the Akure–Owo Expressway.
The incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday when a patrol team attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call over the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to reports, about seven armed men wearing face masks invaded the premises and demanded to see the owner of the block industry.
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Akure.
He said the patrol team acted promptly on credible intelligence and mobilised to the scene, where the suspects engaged the operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
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“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilised to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” Jimoh said.
He disclosed that one locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, and two ATM cards believed to belong to the suspects or their victims were recovered from the scene.
Jimoh added that the bodies of the deceased suspects had been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for preservation and other necessary procedures.
He further stated that the case had been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet and comprehensive investigation.
According to him, efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing members of the gang, who are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
The police spokesperson appealed to residents, particularly healthcare providers and members of the public, to report anyone presenting with gunshot injuries or engaging in suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
