The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed a violent incident involving bandits on the Delabo axis of the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Benin expressway, resulting in one person being shot and another kidnapped. According to SP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, the incident occurred at 7:10 p.m. on Sunday.
In a detailed statement issued on Monday, Odutola explained that unknown gunmen in an unregistered Toyota Venza trailed a man driving a Toyota RAV4, marked AGL 16 JE, to a rough portion of the road and blocked his vehicle. “The criminals fired four rounds of ammunition believed to be from an AK-47 into the driver’s back tyres and another shot into the front tyres. Immediately, the hoodlums alighted from their vehicle, forced the driver of the Toyota RAV4 into their waiting Venza Jeep, and sped off towards Ijebu Ode,” she recounted.
During the incident, the gunmen also targeted a driver of a black Toyota Camry, marked AAA 04 JB, inflicting a gunshot wound on his left leg as he attempted a U-turn. Additionally, a bus driver traveling from Abuja to Lagos in the Ilisan area was stopped by the bandits, who smashed his windscreen and stole his mobile phone after warning him to be cautious.
The Divisional Police Officer of the Ikenne Division responded promptly to a distress call regarding the suspected armed robbery attack. Upon arrival at the scene, the police patrol team quickly transported the injured Camry driver to Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilisan for treatment. Odutola confirmed that the victim is responding well to medical care.
“No lives were lost in the incident, but the damaged vehicles have been recovered and towed to the police station. The identity of the kidnapped victim remains unknown, and further updates will be communicated to the public as the investigation progresses,” Odutola added.
The police commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu, has been briefed on the situation and has directed the anti-kidnapping unit to take over the investigation. The command assures the public that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the culprits and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped individual.