In a disturbing incident on the 14th of December 2023, suspected gunmen, reportedly clad in military uniform, carried out a brazen attack along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The assailants intercepted a vehicle in the Fidiwo area, firing indiscriminately and abducting seven passengers. Tragically, one person lost their life while attempting to escape the attack.
According to an anonymous source, the victims were taken into the bush along the expressway by the armed kidnappers. Another vehicle’s female passenger, witnessing the incident and attempting to flee, was shot, leaving her critically injured. Additionally, an unidentified woman lost her life during the assault.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, revealing that a family traveling from Akure to Lagos in a Toyota Hiace bus was ambushed. Seven individuals, including the parents, were abducted, while the remaining siblings were left behind. The police were alerted, and a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers was initiated.
SP Odutola detailed the involvement of approximately 15 kidnappers dressed in army uniforms. One female, injured during an escape attempt, was receiving treatment at Victory Hospital Ogere, while an unidentified female corpse, shot during the incident, was deposited at the Fos Mortuary in Ipara.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, took swift action by deploying senior officers to conduct a bush-combing exercise. This effort resulted in the successful rescue of one victim, who has since been reunited with their family.
CP Alamutu assured the public that the police were actively addressing the situation to ensure the safe rescue of other victims. Residents were urged not to panic, and travel plans within Ogun State were encouraged to proceed without restraint.
This alarming incident underscores the challenges posed by criminal elements, emphasizing the importance of robust law enforcement efforts to safeguard citizens and maintain public safety.
