The Ondo state Police command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts against kidnapping and other violent crimes following the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers during a gun duel with police operatives in Ilu Abo, along the Akure–Owo expressway.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, at about 3:30 a.m., when a patrol team from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo, responded to a distress call regarding the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School, along the Akure–Owo expressway.
Preliminary reports revealed that about seven masked armed men invaded the premises of the block industry and demanded to see the owner. Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilised to the scene,
The suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire and two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered.
The bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for preservation and other necessary procedures, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and comprehensive investigation.