Along the Fidiwo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday, some gunmen wearing military uniforms are reported to have abducted seven people. One of the victims was shot dead while trying to flee the scene.
A source who wishes to remain anonymous claimed that the armed men ambushed the victims’ vehicle, opened fire intermittently, kidnapped seven occupants, and fled into the surrounding bush along the freeway with the victims.
According to information obtained by our correspondent, one unidentified woman was shot dead and another woman was critically injured when a female passenger in another vehicle watched the attack and tried to escape but was shot by the armed guys.
The source said, “I got the report of a kidnapping incident that occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. I learnt that the kidnappers were dressed in military uniform and they accosted a vehicle, kidnapped some of the occupants, and shot one person dead. I cannot ascertain the number of persons kidnapped yet.”
Through a WhatsApp conversation late on Tuesday, SP Omolola Odutola, the public relations officer for the Ogun State Police, confirmed the attack to our correspondent and emphasized that the police had launched a manhunt for the alleged kidnappers.
The RCCG Missed House Block 10’s Opeyemi Folarin reported a kidnapping incident on Monday, the statement read.
“She added that after crossing the Fidiwo Bridge, a gang of armed people who were firing randomly stopped her and her family’s Toyota Hiace bus, which had the license plate NIGER SUL338 ZY. The family was heading from Akure to Lagos at the time.
“Seven people, including the parents of Folarin, were abducted and taken into the bush while Folarin and their four siblings were left behind. The children were brought to the police station along with the vehicle.
“Also, one Oyekunle Sola, a 35-year-old female who was traveling in another vehicle, was shot by the kidnappers while attempting to escape. She is currently receiving treatment at Victory Hospital Ogere.
“Information from Oyekunle Sola suggests that there were approximately 15 kidnappers wearing army uniforms. She was shot while fleeing and the corpse of an unidentified female who was shot during the incident was found and deposited at a mortuary in Ipara.”
Odutola added that as soon as the report of the abduction was received, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, deployed senior officers to comb the bush and the exercise led to the rescue of one of the victims on Tuesday.
Read Also: In Bauchi, court sentences two men to 35 years in prison for culpable homicide
Following receipt of the complaint, CP Alamutu Abiodun, the Commissioner of Police, issued an order for a bush combing operation into the Bamboo Forest in an attempt to free the abducted victims. The operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Operations (DC OPS), with assistance from the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPOL) Sagamu.
“Kasali Idris Adegoroye, a 43-year-old man from Ofada Road Abisodun, Mowe, was one of the victims that the police squad successfully freed at around 12:30 today. He has now been reunited with his family.
“While the CP assures Ogun residents not to panic or exercise any restraint in their travel plans, the Commissioner is fully on top of this incident to ensure others are rescued,” Odutola stated.
