Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have shot dead two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel at Ilu-Abo on the Akure-Owo Expressway.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, also resulted in the recovery of a locally made pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, face masks and two ATM cards.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement, saying the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call about the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to Jimoh, preliminary investigations revealed that about seven masked gunmen stormed the premises of the block industry and demanded to see the owner.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilized to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered,” the statement read.
Jimoh said the corpses of the slain suspects had been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case had been handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
He added that security operatives were intensifying efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects, who were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange.
The police spokesperson urged residents, especially healthcare workers, to alert the nearest police station if anyone with suspicious gunshot wounds or unusual movements is seen seeking treatment.
He reaffirmed the command’s resolve to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven policing and strengthened operational measures.
Jimoh also commended residents for their continued support and encouraged them to keep providing prompt and credible information to assist security agencies in eliminating criminal activities across the state.
