On March 9, 2023, some gunmen abducted a journalist named Oduneye Oluseun from the Mobalufon neighbourhood of Ijebu Ode fortunately, On Saturday, Ogun State Police Command agents announced that the abducted Journalist had been freed in a statement released on Monday, by the command spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, when speaking to newsmen in Abeokuta.
Oyeyemi claims that the journalist, travelling from Abeokuta, was taken hostage in a Toyota Camry at around 7:50 p.m. on March 9, 2023, in the Mobalufon neighbourhood of Ijebu Ode.
Oyeyemi said, “The abductors later called his wife through his phone the following morning and demanded N30 million as ransom.”
“Upon the report, the State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba directed the DPO Obalende divisional headquarters, SP Murphy Salami, whose jurisdiction the incident happened to ensure the safe rescue of the victim”.
“In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO mobilised his detectives and embarked on a technical and intelligence-based investigation of the incident”.
“Their efforts paid off when the Toyota Camry of the victim was traced to Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating waiting for 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”.
“Having realized that the game is over, the kidnappers were left with no alternative but to abandon the victim, and he was rescued unhurt”, the PPRO said.
Mba, who praised his soldiers for their professionalism and courage, meantime, encouraged to the public, particularly hospitals and traditional healers, to call the police if they notice anyone in their neighborhood suffering from gunshot wounds.