AKURE, Nigeria — Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command neutralized two suspected kidnappers during an exchange of gunfire along the Akure-Owo Expressway at 3:30 a.m. WAT (GMT+1) on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Golden Info reports that the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the fatalities following a response to a distress call at Olaiya Block Industry in Ilu-Abo.
Jimoh said seven masked individuals entered the premises located beside Ilu-Abo High School and demanded to see the owner, prompting operatives from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit to deploy to the location.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the police patrol team mobilized to the scene, where the suspects engaged operatives in a fierce exchange of gunfire,” Jimoh said. “During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.”
Law enforcement personnel recovered weapons and personal effects following the shootout. “Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered,” Jimoh said.
The remains of the deceased suspects were transported to the State Specialist Hospital in Akure. The Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department assumed control of the case, and police directed residents and healthcare providers to report anyone seeking treatment for suspicious gunshot injuries.