On March 11, Ogun State Police Command agents freed journalist Oduneye Olusegun, who had been taken hostage by unidentified gunmen on March 9 in the Mobalufon neighbourhood of Ijebu Ode. At around 7:50 p.m., the journalist, who was travelling from Abeokuta, was abducted in his Toyota Camry in the Mobalufon area.
The next morning, the kidnappers called his wife using the victim’s phone and wanted N30 million as ransom. The police were informed of the situation right away.
Following the report, the DPO Obalende divisional headquarters, SP Murphy Salami, under whose authority the incident occurred, was instructed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, to ensure the victim’s safe rescue.
In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO mobilized his detectives and embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation of the incident.
Their efforts paid off when the Toyota Camry of the victim was traced to Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating waiting for the ransom.
On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout which lasted for about 45 minutes before they abandoned the car and took to their heels after sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The victim’s car which was soaked with the kidnapper’s blood as a result of gunshot injuries was recovered by the Police team.
Having realized that the game is over, the kidnappers were left with no alternative but to abandon the victim, and he was rescued unhurt.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Frank Mba, who commended his men for their gallantry and professional conduct appealed to members of the public especially hospitals and traditional healers to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injury is seen in their area.
He added that the CP also warned criminals to stay clear from Ogun state, as the Command is battle ready to take the fight to their doorstep.
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