Police neutralise two suspected kidnappers in gun battle along Akure-Owo Highway

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle at a block industry in Ilu Abo, along the Akure-Owo Highway in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when about seven masked gunmen reportedly stormed Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School, and demanded to see the owner of the facility.

According to the police, the attack was foiled after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit responded to a distress call from residents. A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, during which two of the suspected kidnappers were shot dead.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, said the remaining members of the gang escaped into the nearby forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

Jimoh disclosed that officers recovered a locally made pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two Automated Teller Machine, ATM, cards believed to belong either to members of the gang or their victims.

He added that the bodies of the deceased suspects had been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, while the case had been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.

The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and appealed to residents, particularly healthcare workers and members of the public, to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station.

Jimoh also commended members of the public for their cooperation and encouraged them to continue providing timely and credible information to support the command’s ongoing campaign against criminal activities in the state.