The Ogun State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim, identified as Mr. Hassan Atoyebi, unhurt from his abductors at Onipanu in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta. She said the combined tactical team demonstrated operational efficiency by successfully rescuing the victim unhurt after a swift operation.
According to Odutola, the incident occurred on October 27, at about 8:16 p.m., when five unidentified armed men invaded the compound of one Alhaji Atoyebi and switched off the generator to lure the occupants outside.
She explained that, unaware of the danger, the victim and another resident came out of the house to inspect what had happened but were ambushed by the assailants, who subsequently abducted Atoyebi.
Odutola further revealed that during the operation, the kidnappers carted away a Point of Sale (POS) machine, ₦900,000 in cash, three mobile phones, a power bank, and keys to a Highlander and Corolla vehicle.
She said that a few hours after the abduction, the kidnappers used the victim’s phone to contact the family, demanding a ransom of ₦30 million.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, promptly deployed a combined tactical team of operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Crime Section, Surveillance Team, Vigilante Group, So-Safe Corps, and local hunters.
“The joint team traced the hoodlums to their hideout along the creeks and two of the kidnappers were neutralized while others fled with gunshot injuries.
“The victim was rescued unhurt and has since reunited with his family. His mobile phones and vehicle keys were recovered at the scene while efforts are on to recover the vehicles,” she said.
Commissioner Ogunlowo commended the gallantry and synergy displayed by the combined security teams during the rescue operation.
He assured members of the public that the command remains resolute in ensuring the safety of all residents, reiterating that Ogun State would continue to be unsafe for criminal elements to operate in any form.
