Ogun Kidnap: Police, DSS Kill Two Suspects, Arrest 18-Year-Old, Recover Three AK-47 Rifles

Security Operatives Intensify Manhunt for Fleeing Gang Members After Rescue of 10 Abducted Passengers in Awa-Ijebu

Ten passengers who endured four days in the hands of kidnappers along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Road have regained their freedom, as coordinated security operations by the Ogun State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) have resulted in the killing of two suspected kidnappers, the arrest of another and the recovery of three AK-47 rifles.

The breakthrough represents a significant development in the fight against kidnapping in Ogun State, particularly along major highways where travellers have increasingly faced the threat of armed attacks and abductions.

The victims were reportedly abducted on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when gunmen intercepted a commercial bus conveying passengers from Edo State to Ibadan at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Following the incident, Security Agencies launched intelligence-driven operations to locate the abductors and secure the victims’ release.

After four days in captivity, the ten passengers regained their freedom unharmed at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, following sustained pressure from security operatives.

The development brought relief to the victims and their families, who had been subjected to days of uncertainty and anxiety over the fate of their loved ones.

However, the rescue operation marked the beginning of another phase of the security offensive, as operatives moved to dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abduction.

According to the Ogun State Police Command, operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road at about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 8.

The operation triggered a gun battle between the security operatives and the suspected criminals, resulting in the neutralisation of one suspected kidnapper, while other members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.

Items recovered during the encounter included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.

In a further operation conducted on Sunday, November 8, the joint security team comprising operatives of the Police and DSS reportedly engaged another group of suspects in a fierce gun battle.

The encounter led to the neutralisation of another suspected kidnapper, the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect identified as Abubakar Yinusa and the recovery of two additional AK-47 rifles.

The latest development brings the total number of suspected kidnappers killed in the ongoing operations to two, with one suspect arrested and three AK-47 rifles recovered.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the developments, attributing the operational successes to sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts among security agencies and other security outfits.

He reaffirmed the command’s determination to track down all fleeing members of the criminal gang and ensure that everyone involved in the abduction is brought to justice.

The command has also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone noticed with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or relevant security agencies.

The Ogun State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, maintained that the collaboration between the Police, DSS and other security formations remains central to the ongoing campaign against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

For residents and regular users of the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan corridor, the latest development offers some reassurance that security agencies are taking action against criminal networks threatening the safety of commuters.

Nevertheless, the escape of other suspected members of the gang means the operation is not yet over. The authorities are expected to sustain the manhunt until the remaining suspects are apprehended and the criminal network dismantled.

Global Mirror News reports that the incident once again highlights the importance of effective intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation and community participation in addressing insecurity, particularly along highways connecting communities and states.

While the safe return of the ten passengers is a welcome relief, the larger concern remains the need to prevent future abductions and guarantee safer journeys for residents, motorists and other road users across Ogun State.