Police Kill Two Suspected Kidnappers In Ondo Highway Gun Battle, Hunt Five Others

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping along the Akure-Owo Expressway, killing two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle and launching a manhunt for five others who escaped into nearby bushes.

The police said the operation prevented the abduction of the owner of Olaiya Block Industry, located near Ilu-Abo High School, along the busy highway corridor.

According to the command, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday when about seven armed men allegedly stormed the premises of the block industry and demanded to see the owner of the business.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Abayomi Jimoh, said officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo responded after receiving a distress call.

He explained that the patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, moved swiftly to the location, where the suspected kidnappers engaged them in a gun battle.

“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilised to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire,” Jimoh said.

The police spokesperson disclosed that two of the suspected kidnappers were killed during the confrontation, while five others escaped into surrounding bushes with suspected gunshot injuries.

Following the operation, security operatives recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two ATM cards believed to be linked either to members of the gang or previous victims.

The bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The Ondo Police Command has intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network believed to be operating along the highway corridor.

The command appealed to hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers across the state to immediately alert security agencies about anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot wounds.

Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information that could assist ongoing investigations.

“We remain committed to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing and enhanced operational strategies,” Jimoh said.

The Akure-Owo Expressway has remained a major security concern in Ondo State, with several reported cases of kidnapping targeting commuters, farmers and business owners along the route.

Security agencies, including the police, military and local security outfits, have carried out several operations in recent years to curb criminal activities around the highway and surrounding forest areas.

Wednesday’s operation adds to a series of intelligence-led efforts aimed at disrupting kidnapping networks and preventing further attacks in the state.

The police urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities within their communities.