Ogun State Police Command says it has rescued nine victims from suspected kidnappers along Lagos – Ibadan expressway out of the 10 people that were kidnapped few days ago.
The Command says the remaining person has been identified as
Philip Aivoji “m”, the Lagos State chapter chairman of the People’s Democractic Party (PDP), whose identity was revealed by those who were earlier rescued.
The Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP), Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this on Saturday in a release, said the incident happened around Bamboo area of Ogun State, inward Lagos State, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on January 25th.
SP Odutola said the yet – to – be identified gunmen took over the area, barricaded the highway with articulated vehicles, blocking oncoming motorists and started shooting indiscriminately, causing a state of commotion and panic which made motorists to abandon their vehicles and fled for safety into the bush.
She added that the police and army patrol team raced to the scene and repelled the gunmen which aided the escape of the nine victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state noted that a Mazda Bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, while the quartet of Eunice Afolake Osalusi “f”, Erinfolami Samuel “m”, Obafemi Da Altantra “m” and Adeyinka Mathew sustained non life threatening bullet injuries during their escape attempts.
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According to her, the four are recuperating and stable in hospital.
However, she stated that one Bilikisu Kazeem “f” aged 37 years, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital, stressing that her remains were immediately collected by her relatives who declined any autopsy examination from the police.
She stated, “The Divisional Police Officer of Isara Division in his strong commitment has successfully rescued nine out of ten persons from suspected kidnappers.
“Following a report received on the 25th of January 2024 at about 1900hrs that suspected hoodlums emerged from the bush near Bamboo area of Ogun State, inward Lagos State, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. That the yet to be identified gunmen barricaded the highway with articulated vehicles, blocking oncoming motorist and started firing indiscriminately causing a state of commotion and panic which made motorist to abandon their vehicles and fled for safety into the bush.
“Based on the information, the Divisional Police Officer and his team swiftly raced to the scene together with an Army Patrol team on transit, rapidly returned gun fire which aided the escape of nine kidnapped victims who later rejoined their vehicles and continued their journey.
“A White Mazda Bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, while Eunice Afolake Osalusi “f”, Erinfolami Samuel “m”, Obafemi Da Altantra “m” and Adeyinka Mathew sustained non life threatening bullet injuries in their escape attempts, they are recuperating and stable in hospital.
“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem “f” aged 37years, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. Her remains was immediately collected by her relatives who were conveying her to the hospital, declining any autopsy examination from the police.
“One Philip Aivoji “m” whose identity was later given by those earlier rescued revealed he is the Lagos State PDP Chairman and is still held captive, but covert operations are in place to ensure his release.
“Exhibits recovered includes one AK47 Magazine containing 28 live ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums, handsets, car key, were handed over to respective owners.
“The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations has mobilised Tactical Commanders, on joint operations with other security agencies on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun on tracking mission, to ensure that the victim Philip Aivoji is rescued unhurt.”
