Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a fresh kidnap attempt along the troubled Akure-Owo Expressway after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle that left two of the attackers dead and several others fleeing with gunshot wounds.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, prevented the abduction of the owner of Olaiya Block Industry in Ilu-Abo, a community along the Akure-Owo highway that has witnessed recurring security incidents in recent years.
According to the police, about seven armed men stormed the premises of the block industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School, at about 3:30 a.m. The suspects reportedly demanded to see the business owner before security operatives responded to a distress call.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo acted swiftly on credible intelligence and moved to the scene.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilised to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire,” Jimoh said.
He explained that two of the suspected kidnappers sustained fatal gunshot injuries during the exchange, while five others escaped into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds.
Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards believed to belong either to members of the gang or previous victims.
The command said the bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Jimoh added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
The police also appealed to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers across Ondo State to immediately report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot wounds. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies.
The latest operation highlights the persistent security concerns along the Akure-Owo Expressway, a major route that has become a frequent target for kidnappers who prey on commuters, farmers and business owners.
In response to the recurring attacks, security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the military, the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) and other stakeholders, have intensified intelligence-led operations across the state, particularly in forests and communities bordering major highways where criminal gangs are believed to be operating.
