Ogun police rescue 10 kidnap victims, kill suspect

The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security operations that culminated in the killing of one of the suspects.

The operation saw the passengers, who were abducted from a commercial bus on November 3, 2026, regain their freedom unharmed at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE RELEASE

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the victims were released after sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts.

“The victims were safely released at about 8:30 p.m. on November 7, 2026, without any injury,” Babaseyi said.

THE FOLLOW-UP OPERATION

In a follow-up operation at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, where a gun battle ensued.

“During the encounter, one suspected kidnapper was neutralised, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot wounds,” Babaseyi said .

Items recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, N1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone .

THE CONTEXT

The victims were recently discharged corps members travelling from Benin City, Edo State, to Ibadan, Oyo State, when gunmen intercepted their bus at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Orita Fufu, along the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Road.

One passenger escaped and alerted relatives, while the other 10 were taken into the forest.

Families of the victims had earlier raised the alarm, saying the kidnappers initially demanded N20 million, which was later increased to N25 million, with a 24-hour deadline .

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WHY IT MATTERS

The rescue of the 10 passengers is a rare piece of good news in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against kidnapping.

They were abducted on Tuesday. They spent four days in the forest.

Their families were told to pay N25 million or risk never seeing them again. And then, on Saturday night, they walked free.

The police have been criticised for their response to kidnappings, but this operation shows what can be achieved when security agencies apply sustained pressure and intelligence-led tactics.

The victims are home. A suspect is dead, others escaped with gunshot wounds. The AK-47 and the ransom money have been recovered.

And for the families who spent four days in agony, the nightmare is finally over. ValidViewNetwork reports.