The Ondo State Police Command says two suspected kidnappers have been killed during a gun battle with security operatives along the Akure-Owo Expressway.
The operation took place in the early hours of Wednesday around Ilu-Abo, following a distress call about the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, officers from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo, responded to the report at about 3:30 a.m. and moved to the scene.
Jimoh said preliminary investigations revealed that about seven masked gunmen had stormed the block industry and demanded to see the owner before police operatives arrived.
He explained that the suspects engaged the officers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, during which two members of the gang were neutralised, while others escaped into the surrounding bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
Items recovered from the scene included a locally made pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, face masks and two ATM cards believed to be linked to the criminal group or their victims.
The bodies of the two suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, who are believed to have sustained injuries during the encounter.
The command also urged hospitals, medical workers and residents to report anyone found with suspicious gunshot wounds or unusual movements to the authorities.
The Ondo Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence gathering, improved security operations and cooperation with members of the public.
