Police in Ogun State have arrested three suspected kidnappers while they were trying to collect ransom on two victims abducted at Abule Oba, along Alamala in Ayetoro, Yewa North local government area of the state.
The suspects, Abubakar Sodiq, 26, Ibrahim Kuaki, 24, and Muhammadu Dio, 22, were arrested on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
The arrest followed a report lodged at the Ilupeju divisional headquarters that two men, who had gone to work at Abule Oba Alamala along Ayetoro road, were kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi confirmed this to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Oyeyemi said that upon the report, the DPO Sabo Ilupeju mobilized his men in collaboration with men of the Nigeria army and the Social Orientation and Safety Corps( So-Safe) for aggressive bush combing in search of the victims and the suspects.
“While the exercise was going on, the operatives received information that the suspects had contacted the families of the victims and asked them to bring ransom money somewhere in the area.
“Having received the information, the operatives swiftly moved to the area and laid ambush for the hoodlums. Not quite long, the hoodlums appeared to collect the ransom and the operatives engaged them in a gun duel.
"Having realized that they were about to be overpowered, they took to their heels but were hotly chased and three amongst them were apprehended.
Other members of the gang escaped with gunshot injuries which made them eventually abandoned their victims, who were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.” the police PRO said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the anti-kidnapping unit of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department.
The CP also directed that the escaped members of the gang be looked for and brought to justice.
He appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals, to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injuries is seen in their area.
