LAGOS MAY 26TH (NEWSRNAGERS)-Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command Special Squad1 have killed four suspected kidnappers during an operation to foil the alleged abduction of a businessman in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.
The operation, which occurred at the Jakande Estate Gate on Sunday night, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, another firearm, live ammunition and vehicles allegedly linked to the suspects.
The Guardian gathered that the gunfire lasted until about 11:00p.m., forcing traders and residents in the area to flee for safety.
According to police sources, the operation followed intelligence reports that a notorious kidnapping syndicate planned to abduct a businessman around 9:30 p.m. at the estate gate.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intelligence was received by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, prompting operatives to move to the area and monitor the suspects’ activities.
The source identified the suspected gang leader simply as Ifeanyi, popularly known as “Ifeko,” alleging that he had been linked to previous kidnapping operations in Lagos.
He further claimed that the suspect was connected to the leader of a gang of suspected billionaire kidnappers killed during a police operation at Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in 2024.
According to the officer, the suspects opened fire on the operatives upon sighting them, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
“The gang sighted the police and immediately opened fire, but the operatives responded with superior firepower. At the end of the gun duel, four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while another escaped with gunshot wounds,” the source said.
During the operation, a police inspector attached to the squad sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg and was rushed to the Police College Hospital in Ikeja, where he is reportedly responding to treatment.
Items recovered from the scene included a Toyota Sienna vehicle, one AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition, a submachine gun with a magazine containing 12 rounds of ammunition, as well as Toyota Corolla and Lexus vehicle keys.
Police authorities said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and other members of the alleged gang.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, armed men suspected to be political thugs yesterday attacked the spokesperson for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ogundipe Olukayode, popularly known as Omojomolo.
Olukayode, who contested the Lagos State House of Assembly primaries under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and reportedly emerged victorious, was attacked at about 12:10 p.m. on Monday at Afariogun Junction, off the Airport Road service lane in Lagos.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, numbering about four, arrived on two motorcycles and attacked the vehicle conveying the APC candidate.
The incident caused severe damage to the windshield and side windows of his vehicle, while Ogundipe is currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Confirming the incident, a statement from his media office said: “Yes, he was attacked and is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.”
Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Oshodi-Isolo Local Council, Kayode Tinubu, who reportedly rushed him to the hospital, condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate and dangerous to the peace and stability of Oshodi.
He questioned why political disagreements within the same party should degenerate into violence and intimidation, warning against any attempt to drag Oshodi back into an era of crisis and unrest after years of relative peace.
Officers from the Nigeria Police Force station in Makinde, Mafoluku-Oshodi, who visited the scene to assess the damage, vowed to investigate the incident and apprehend those responsible.
The attack has generated widespread reactions among party loyalists and residents, many of whom condemned the violence and called for calm, justice and a thorough investigation into the incident.
TheGuardian-Nigeria
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