The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of a journalist, Olusegun Oduneye, three days after he was kidnapped by gunmen at Mobalufon, in the Ijebu Ode area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, said after the journalist was kidnapped on Thursday, the abductors contacted Oduneye’s wife the following morning and demanded N30m ransom.
The statement read, “Upon the report, the state Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, directed the Divisional Police Officer, Obalende Divisional Headquarters, SP Murphy Salami, whose jurisdiction the incident happened, to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.
“In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO mobilised his detectives and embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation of the incident.
“Their efforts paid off when the Toyota Camry of the victim was traced to the Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating waiting
Oyeyemi said on sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout which lasted for about 45 minutes, adding that the abductors abandoned the car and took to their heels after sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injury.
“The victim’s car which was soaked with the kidnappers’ blood as a result of gunshot injuries was recovered by the police team. Having realised that the game is over, the kidnappers were left with no alternative but to abandon the victim, and he was rescued unhurt,” Oyeyemi said.
The PPRO said Mba commended his men for their gallantry and professional conduct.
He appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals and traditional healers, to inform the police if anybody with a gunshot injury had been seen in their areas.
Oyeyemi also said the CP warned criminals to stay clear from the state as the command was battle-ready to take the fight to their doorsteps.