A journalist, Oduneye Olusegun, has been rescued from his suspected kidnappers by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command, last Saturday.
The journalist, who was coming from Abeokuta, was kidnapped at the Mobalufon area of Ijebu-Ode in his Toyota Camry car at about 7:50 pm on Thursday, 9 March, 2023.
The Ogun Police image-maker, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, stated in a release, AZ:5310/OGS/PRO/VOL.7/203.
13/03/2023, that the journalist was rescued unhurt from his abductors at the Idimu area of Lagos State.
He said the rescue operation was successfully carried out by a combined team of police operatives from Ogun and Lagos states, working on a directive by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Frank Mba.
As stated in the release, the kidnappers gave themselves away from their hideout by making a phone call to their victim’s wife, using his own phone, to demand for N30million as ransom.
The Ogun police, acting upon the phone call, was able to trace the kidnapped journalist to the hideout of his abductors in Idimu, Lagos State.
According to Oyeyemi, the journalist was safely rescued unhurt, while his abductors sustained some degrees of injuries as they engaged the law enforcement agents in a gun duel.
“The abductors later called his wife through the victim’s phone the following morning and demanded for #30million as ransom.
“Upon the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, directed the DPO, 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 journalist was traced to Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating waiting for the ransom.
“On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout which lasted for about 45 minutes before they abandoned the car and took to their heels after sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“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 (the journalist) was rescued unhurt,” Oyeyemi stated in the release.
He disclosed that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, has commended his men for their gallantry and professional conduct.
The Ogun Police boss appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals and traditional healers, to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injury is seen in their area.
He also warned criminals to stay away from the state, as the Command is battle ready to take the fight to their door step, Oyeyemi stated.
