The police in Ogun rescued a journalist, Oluseun Oduneye, from his kidnappers after a gun battle that lasted for 45 minutes.
Oduneye, who is the publisher of Issues Magazine, was abducted in Mobalufon area, Ijebu Ode on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement issued by SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the State Police Public Relations Officer in Abeokuta on Monday.
“The journalist was traveling in a Toyota Camry when he was attacked at about 7.50pm on his way to Ijebu-Ode from Abeokuta,” he said.
The police said the kidnappers then called the wife using the victim’s phone in the morning and demanded a ransom of N30 million.
Following the report, Oyeyemi said the Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba directed the Divisional Police Officer, Obalende Divisional Headquarters, Murphy Salami, who has jurisdiction over the incident to ensure the rescue of the victims.
“According to the direction of the CP, the DPO mobilized detectives and started a technical and intelligence-based investigation into the incident.
“The effort succeeded when the victim’s Toyota Camry was traced to Idimu area of Lagos, where the kidnappers were hibernating awaiting ransom.
“On seeing the police, the thugs engaged in a shootout for about 45 minutes before abandoning the car and stopping after sustaining different gunshot wounds.
“After realizing that the game was over, the kidnappers were left with no alternative but to leave the victim, and he was rescued unharmed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mba, who commended his men for their skill and professional conduct, appealed to the public especially hospitals and traditional healers to inform the police if there is a gunshot wound in their area.
The CP also warned the criminals to leave the country, saying the command is ready to fight till the door.