The Ogun State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) have neutralised another suspected kidnapper, arrested an 18-year-old suspect and recovered two additional AK-47 rifles during a gun battle with suspected kidnappers.
The latest operation, carried out on Sunday, November 8, brings the number of suspected kidnappers neutralised to two, while the total number of recovered AK-47 rifles has risen to three.
The arrested suspect was identified as Abubakar Yinusa, 18.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the operation was conducted by a joint security team comprising operatives of the police, DSS and other security agencies.
The security operatives reportedly engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, resulting in the death of one suspect, the arrest of Yinusa and the recovery of the two rifles.
The development comes days after security agencies secured the release of 10 passengers abducted at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, on November 3.
The victims were reportedly released unharmed on November 7 following sustained security operations and pressure on the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, and the DSS State Director of Security, Adelakun Adeyinka, have continued to coordinate joint efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating in the state.
The police attributed the recent successes to intelligence sharing, operational coordination and sustained collaboration among security agencies and quasi-security outfits.
The command reiterated its determination to ensure that everyone connected with the kidnapping incident is apprehended and prosecuted.
It also urged residents to remain vigilant and report anyone suspected of having suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
