The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers during a gunfight with security operatives along the Akure-Owo Expressway.
The operation took place in the early hours of Wednesday at Ilu-Abo after officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit responded to an emergency report about the activities of armed men at a block industry located near Ilu-Abo High School.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that about seven masked gunmen stormed the premises and demanded to see the owner of the business.
Security operatives quickly moved to the scene, where they encountered the suspects and exchanged gunfire with them.
During the confrontation, two of the suspected kidnappers were fatally shot, while other members of the gang escaped into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds.
Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two ATM cards believed to be connected to the suspects or their victims.
The bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, while the case has been handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and urged healthcare workers and members of the public to promptly report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot injuries or displaying suspicious behaviour.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven operations and strengthened security strategies.
The command also thanked residents for their continued cooperation and encouraged them to keep providing timely and credible information to support efforts aimed at eliminating criminal activities across the state.
