By Desire Emmanuel
Two members of a kidnapping gang were shot dead while others fled into the bush with bullet wounds during a gun duel with policemen after they attempted to abduct owner of a block industry located along the Akure-Owo Expressway in Ondo State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, when a team from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit stationed on the highway responded to a distress call regarding the activities of the gang at Olaiya Block Industry, beside Ilu-Abo High School along the expressway.
It was gathered that about seven masked kidnappers invaded the premises of the block industry and demanded to see the owner with a view to kidnapping him.
However, acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilised to the scene, where the criminals engaged them in a gun duel.
During the gun battle, two of the kidnappers were shot dead while the other members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of injuries.
At the end of the encounter, one locally-fabricated pistol, live catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM cards were recovered from them.
The bodies of those shot dead have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while a manhunt had been launched for the fleeing members of the gang.
Also, the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Ondo State Criminal Investigation Department for a more comprehensive investigation.
“Residents, particularly healthcare providers and members of the public, are urged to promptly report any individual presenting suspicious gunshot injuries or exhibiting suspicious movements to the nearest police station,” the state police command said in a statement on Wednesday regarding the incident.
