Ogun Police Engage Kidnappers In Gun Battle, Kill Two, Rescue Three Indians

Operatives of the Ogun State Police command have engaged suspected kidnappers in a shootout and rescued three Indian nationals.

The gunmen had last Friday abducted the three expatriates, namely: Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan and Medani Kathiwada along Ibadan-Lagos expressway.

The kidnappers reportedly ambushed the victims while they were returning to their residence at Kajola area of Obafemi Owode local government area of the state.

Confirming the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Omolola Odutola said, the victims were rescued from the kidnapers’ hideout along the Benin-Sagamu Papalanto expressway on Tuesday.

The PPRO said, the kidnappers on sighting men of the anti-kidnapping team engaged them in a gun battle.

According to her, two members of the kidnapping gang were shot dead while two AK 47 riffles, one single barrel locally made gun, one sword, cell phone, charms and 65 round of ammunition were also recovered from the kidnappers.

She added that, the sum of N7.9million suspected to be ransom and 1,500 Rupees were also recovered from the suspects.

“On the 4th of May 2024, the manager of Breeze Company Nigeria limited, located at Ibadan-Lagos expressway made a distress call to the DPO of Mowe Divisional headquarters that on the 3rd of May 2024, while his principals numbering about sixteen were returning to their residence, at Kajola junction, a gang of kidnappers opened gunfire into the two Toyota Haice buses with registration numbers: FST 686 YH Ash colour and SMK 986 YE black colour that was conveying them.

“In response, the PMF escort attached to the first bus with registration number, FST 686 YH exchanged fire with the kidnappers and managed to escape with all the occupants in the first vehicle, while three Indian nationals, namely, Tejaram Chauhan, Kaduwal Pradhan and Medani Kathiwada, all inside the second bus without police escort were all kidnapped to an unknown destination.

“The anti-kidnapping section of the command in concert with police formations in the axis with other local security agents swung into action by combing the area, policemen engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle confronting the kidnappers in the forest along Benin-Sagamu Papalanto at about 1630hrs of 7th May 2024, and succeeded in the rescue of the victims unhurt”, the PPRO said.