By Kanu Samuel
Two suspected kidnappers were killed during a gun battle with operatives of the Ondo State Police Command at Ilu-Abo along the Akure–Owo Expressway, the police have said.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the incident occurred after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit at Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call over the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the police, about seven masked gunmen stormed the block industry and demanded to see the owner before the patrol team arrived at the scene.
Jimoh said the suspects opened fire on the operatives on sight, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire.
He said two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded during the encounter, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
The police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two ATM cards believed to belong to the suspects or their 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 for further investigation.
The command said efforts were under way to apprehend the fleeing suspects and appealed to hospitals, healthcare providers and members of the public to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious behaviour.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing.
He also urged residents to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security operations across the state.
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