Police rescue kidnap victim, recover stolen vehicle after gun battle in Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have rescued a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, and recovered her stolen vehicle following a gun battle with suspected kidnappers in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The command disclosed the successful operation on Wednesday, stating that the rescue was carried out under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, when heavily armed men invaded Mrs. Oladele’s residence in Owo and abducted her at gunpoint. The assailants reportedly forced the victim into her Toyota Matrix with registration number WWW-434-AG before fleeing the scene.

Jimoh said the Divisional Police Officer of B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised tactical operatives after receiving the distress report and launched a coordinated pursuit of the suspects.

The police team later tracked the kidnappers to the Ojana Phase 3 area, where the suspects opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest. A fierce exchange of gunfire followed before the operatives overpowered the gang, forcing them to flee into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

Mrs. Oladele was rescued unharmed during the operation, while her vehicle was successfully recovered.

Police also recovered several items believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects, including two expended cartridges, a flashlight, and a sandal suspected to belong to one of the kidnappers.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu commended the swift response and professionalism of the B Division operatives, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across Ondo State.

The police also appealed to residents and healthcare providers to report anyone seeking treatment for unexplained gunshot wounds, saying such information could assist investigators in tracking down members of the fleeing gang.