The Lagos State Police Command successfully neutralized nine suspected kidnappers during a fierce shootout on Thursday, marking a critical victory in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the state.
Lagos police spokesperson, Superintendent Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja. According to Mr Hundeyin, the police had been meticulously tracking the kidnappers following credible intelligence reports about their nefarious activities.
The operation was spearheaded under the direction of the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, who commended the tactical teams for their diligence and precision. “Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully, and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in the Ladipo area of Lagos State,” Hundeyin explained.
Equipped with actionable intelligence, the police laid an ambush for the kidnappers, who arrived unaware of the trap. Despite being caught off guard, the kidnappers engaged the police in a gunfight. “They, of course, bowed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine of them were neutralized while two escaped with gunshot injuries,” Mr Hundeyin stated.
The shootout, which took place in the Ladipo, Mushin area, led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and equipment. Among the items seized were four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, and three walkie-talkies. In addition, two operational vehicles—a black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350—were also confiscated.
The police spokesperson revealed that the command had been on the trail of the gang for eight months due to their involvement in multiple kidnappings of wealthy individuals across various parts of Lagos, including Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo. “We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end,” Hundeyin declared.
This successful operation is part of a series of breakthroughs by the Lagos State Police Command in disrupting criminal activities. “Many of these were not made public to protect the identity of members of the public that made the information available,” added Mr Hundeyin.
In a call to action, Mr Hundeyin urged the public, especially medical practitioners, to report any individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or contact the Command’s emergency numbers. He emphasized the importance of community cooperation in maintaining security, “We ask all well-meaning Lagosians to provide the police with any information that could aid in preventing or solving crimes.”
The Lagos State Police Command continues its relentless efforts to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, demonstrating that with community support and robust intelligence, crime can be effectively combated.
