The police in Ogun State have rescued a journalist, Seun Oduneye, from kidnappers after a 45-minute gun battle.
The journalist was on his way back to Ijebu-Ode from Abeokuta when he was kidnapped in Mobalufon area.
Mr Oduneye was abducted in his Toyota Camry car around 7:50 pm on Thursday. According to the police, the kidnappers called his wife on Friday morning and demanded a N30 million ransom.
The journalist is the publisher of Issues Magazine. Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state police spokesperson, announced the journalist’s rescue on Monday morning.
He stated that after the kidnapping was reported, the Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, directed the DPO Obalende divisional headquarters, Murphy Salami, a superintendent of police, to ensure the victim’s safe rescue.
Mr Oyeyemi went on to say that the team launched a “technical and intelligence based investigation,” which led them to the Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating while waiting for the ransom. According to the police spokesperson, when the hoodlums saw the operatives, they opened fire but were repelled.
Mr Oyeyemi said, “In accordance with the CP’s directive, the DPO mobilized his directives and embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation of the incident,” he also stated that their efforts were rewarded when the victim’s Toyota Camry was tracked down to the Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers had gone into hiding to await the ransom.
On sighting the policemen, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout which lasted for about 45 minutes before they abandoned the car and took to their heels after sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The victim’s car which was soaked with the kidnappers’ blood as a result of gunshot injuries was recovered by the police team.
“When the kidnappers realized the game was over, they had no choice but to abandon the victim, who was rescued unharmed.”
According to a police spokesperson, the commissioner of police praised the “gallant and professional” officers for their efforts.
