Ondo police kill two suspected kidnappers, chase five

Police in Ondo State engaged and killed two suspected kidnappers in a gun battle early Wednesday morning, preventing an attempted abduction at a business along a highway notorious for such attacks. The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. at the Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School along the Akure-Owo Expressway.

According to a statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, about seven masked gunmen stormed the premises and demanded to see the owner of the block industry. Officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call and mobilized to the scene. The suspects engaged the police in a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were killed. The five other members of the gang fled into nearby bushes, believed to be suffering from gunshot wounds.

Following the operation, police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, and two ATM cards. The items are believed to belong either to the criminal gang or to previous victims. The bodies of the deceased suspects have been taken to the State...