Nine suspected kidnappers allegedly terrorizing the areas of Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo in Lagos State, have been eliminated by law enforcement officers affiliated with the Lagos State Police Command.
The suspected kidnappers were killed in a gun battle with police on Thursday night in Lagos' Ladipo neighbourhood.
Nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, a POS machine, a loudspeaker, four AK-47 rifles, and four locally manufactured semiautomatic pistols were retrieved from them in the interim. Also recovered are their two operational vehicles: a black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350.
Parading the suspect at the State Police Command in Ikeja on Friday, July 5th, the command's spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated: “That two weeks ago, the command received credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and very notorious gang of kidnappers planning to kidnap some high-net-worth individuals in Lagos.
Explaining further Hundeyin said: “Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command's tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in Ladipo area of Lagos State. With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them.”
“The kidnappers who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot-out. They of course bowed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine of them were neutralized while two escaped with gunshot injuries.
It is worthy of note that the Command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnapping of wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo and Ladipo areas of Lagos State. We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.
“This breakthrough is in addition to several other breakthroughs we have made recently in identifying and apprehending kidnapping and armed robber gangs while they are planning their crimes. Many of these were not made public to protect the identities of the people who provided the information,” he added.
Hundeyin, on the other hand, urged everyone, including medical professionals, to keep an eye out for anyone with gunshot wounds and to notify the nearest police station or call any of our emergency numbers if they come across one.
“We also use this medium to encourage other well-meaning Lagosians to share information with us when they suspect something is wrong around them, so that we can act appropriately and quickly. We will continue to prioritize their safety and security.”
