Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Ogun State have neutralized a suspected kidnapping kingpin during a gun battle at a criminal hideout in the Orile Ilugun Forest axis along the Abeokuta-Ibadan Expressway.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation was carried out following intensified intelligence-driven efforts after the successful rescue of a kidnap victim.

The victim was last Thursday, abducted at Nufats Fuel Station along the Abeokuta–Ibadan Expressway in Odeda Local Government Area.

Babaseyi disclosed that the victim regained freedom unharmed on Monday at about 8:30 p.m., after which operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad launched a manhunt for members of the gang responsible for the abduction.

He stated that at about 6:00am on Monday, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the kidnappers’ hideout within the Orile Ilugun Forest area.

“On sighting the Police operatives, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a fierce gun duel. 

'The operatives responded with superior tactical firepower, leading to the neutralization of the gang’s kingpin, while other members of the syndicate fled into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement read.

Items recovered, according to the statement, included one AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, two mobile phones, and the sum of ₦2 million suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities.

The police spokesperson added that the corpse of the slain suspect had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

Reacting to the operation, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.