The Police Command in Lagos State says it has rescued two persons who were kidnapped on Thursday at Ijede creek side in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Hundeyin explained that the police stormed the scene after receiving a distress call on the incident at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday.
”A distress report was received at Ijede Division indicating gunshots in the vicinity of Ijede Creek side settlement.
”Acting swiftly, combined teams of more than 15 police tactical squads, detectives, conventional policemen, local vigilantes, hunters and the locals were immediately mobilised to the scene.
”On getting there, it was confirmed that two persons whose houses are inside the creek had been attacked and abducted by unidentified hoodlums who fled via the creek and adjoining forest, ” he said.
”Acting swiftly, combined teams of more than 15 police tactical squads, detectives, conventional policemen, local vigilantes, hunters and the locals were immediately mobilised to the scene.
”On getting there, it was confirmed that two persons whose houses are inside the creek had been attacked and abducted by unidentified hoodlums who fled via the creek and adjoining forest, ” he said.
”This coordinated rescue operations led to the successful release of the victims unhurt at 10:00 p.m., on Sunday. The released victims have been reunited with their families,’’ he said.
According to him, the police in collaboration with the vigilantes, hunters and locals are currently are still combing the creek and the adjoining forest to apprehend the kidnappers to prevent further attacks from them as well as bring them to justice.
The Lagos Police image maker commended the bravery of the officers and cooperation of the local vigilantes, hunters, and community members whose swift response was instrumental to the success of the operations in spite the difficulties encountered in accessing the area.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the state.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and security conscious at all times, especially residents leaving in the Ijede creek and other difficult terrains in the forest.
He also advised residents to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines; 08063299264 or 08065154338.
Police arrest, detain 4 for alleged kidnapping, robbery
Similarly, operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos have arrested and detained four members of a syndicate who specialised in kidnapping and robbing residents of Ogun.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
Ayuba said that the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in charge of the zone, Adegoke Fayoade received report of the suspects’ activities and detailed a team of detectives from the Zonal Dragon Squad 2 to investigate and bring the suspects to book.
“On May 8, three suspects ages 25, 28 and 30 were apprehended at Sabo Hausa Market, Eleweran, Abeokuta while planning a robbery operation.
“The apprehension of the three suspects led to the arrest of a 45-year-old man in his hideout at Onigbedu, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.
“The suspects confessed to taking part in the hijack of cement laden trucks along Onigbedu Area of Ewekoro in Ogun State,” she said.
Ayuba added that in the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to kidnapping two Chinese nationals on Aug. 11, 2024 (Liang Ding Jia ‘m’ and Chen Wen Guang ‘m’) and received N30 million as ransom for their release.
“One of the suspects, the 28-year-old confessed to taking part in a robbery operation at Obada Oko on Jan. 27, where he forcefully had unlawful canal knowledge of a 62-year-old woman right in the presence of her children.
“The victims identified him and narrated their ordeal in the hands of the gang.
“During an interview with the 62-year-old woman, she explained that the suspect wanted to have unlawful canal knowledge of her daughter, but she pleaded with him.
”The he turned to her and forcefully had his way with her in the presence of her two children,’’ Ayuba revealed.
The ZPPRO said that items recovered from the suspects include one locally made pistol, three life cartridges, two unregistered bajaj motorcycles and one berreta pistol with 13 live ammunition.
The image maker said other exhibits recovered from the suspects were N300, 000 cash, one iPhone 7+, one small Tecno phone and Opay Digital Service and UBA ATM.
According to her, investigation is ongoing and efforts intensified to apprehend other suspects at large and recover all exhibits, thereafter suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
