The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by gunmen from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ogun State, following a security operation that also left one suspected kidnapper dead.
The victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, after sustained security pressure and intelligence-led operations by the police.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a follow-up operation at about 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, storming a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road.
The operation reportedly triggered a gun battle between the police and the suspected criminals.
During the exchange of gunfire, one suspected kidnapper was neutralised, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Items recovered from the hideout include an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, one mobile phone and the sum of one million, three hundred and seventy-six thousand, eight hundred naira in cash.
The 10 passengers were reportedly abducted on Tuesday while travelling in a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu.
Their successful rescue brings relief to the victims and their families, following days of uncertainty over their whereabouts and safety.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command says efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
The police have also appealed to members of the public to report anyone seen with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established police communication channels.
The command says information from residents could prove critical to identifying and apprehending the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
The operation underscores the importance of intelligence gathering and coordinated security responses in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes along major highways.
