Days after three abducted persons regained freedom in Ipojo area, Iperin, Atan-Ijebu, Ogun State, police operatives have dealt a major blow to the suspected kidnap syndicate linked to the crime, arresting its alleged leader and recovering arms, ammunition, and cash believed to be proceeds of ransom payments.
The success followed an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, which also led to the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers during a fierce gun battle along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis of the state.
Recovered from the suspects were one AK-47 rifle loaded with ten rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, a single-barrel gun, the sum of ₦1.5 million suspected to be ransom proceeds, several mobile phones, and a black bag believed to have been used in the criminal operation.
Confirming the development in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operation was triggered by sustained intelligence and investigative efforts following the abduction of three persons on May 11, 2026.
According to Babaseyi, “Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have neutralized two suspected kidnappers and arrested a suspected kidnapping kingpin, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, alongside a suspected gang member, Mohammed Bello, during an intelligence-led operation.”
He disclosed that the victims were abducted at the Ipojo area of Iperin, Atan-Ijebu, and later regained freedom unharmed on May 14 after their captors collected ransom from relatives.
He said, “The victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 7:30 p.m. after being released by their captors following the payment of an unspecified ransom. Following the victims’ release, operatives intensified efforts to track down members of the gang responsible for the abduction.”
The police spokesperson explained that acting on credible intelligence, operatives stormed the gang’s hideout in the early hours of Thursday.
“Consequently, on the 15th of May 2026 at about 5:00 a.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed the kidnappers’ hideout located along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road axis of Ogun State,” he stated.
He added that the suspects engaged operatives in a gun battle upon sighting the police team.
“On sighting the Police operatives, the suspects opened fire, leading to a fierce gun duel. The operatives responded professionally, resulting in the neutralization of two of the suspected kidnappers, while other members of the gang escaped into the surrounding forest with varying degrees of bullet injuries,” DSP Babaseyi said.
The command further revealed that follow-up intelligence operations led to the arrest of the suspected syndicate leader and another gang member.
“Further intelligence-led follow-up operations led to the arrest of the suspected kingpin, Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, and his gang member, Mohammed Bello, alongside the recovery of additional incriminating exhibits connected to the criminal operation,” he added.
Babaseyi noted that the corpses of the neutralized suspects had been deposited at a morgue for autopsy in line with standard procedure, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicate.
“All recovered exhibits have been secured, while investigation continues to unravel the full network of the gang and facilitate prosecution of the arrested suspects,” he stated.
Commending the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to sustain the crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes across the state.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and support ongoing security efforts by reporting suspicious activities promptly through the command’s emergency lines.
