The Ogun State Police Command says it has rescued seven kidnapped victims, neutralised three suspected kidnappers and arrested 38 suspects in a series of operations carried out across the state.
The command also said its operatives recovered two firearms, 75 rounds of live ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, stolen property and other exhibits during the operations.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, said the operations were carried out through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
The command said the biggest breakthrough came from a coordinated operation by its Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the DSS, which led to the rescue of seven victims abducted along Paraga Street, Ipara, Ogun State, on July 29, 2026.
According to the police, the victims were kidnapped at about 7:40 p.m., after which the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately commenced intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at locating the victims and identifying their abductors.
The police said sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated operations involving the DSS, Nigerian Army and other security agencies eventually yielded results.
The operation received additional aerial support on August 3 following a request by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The request resulted in the deployment of a police helicopter from the Police Air Wing to complement the ongoing ground operation.
The police said the combination of intelligence sharing, surveillance, aerial support and coordinated ground operations enabled security operatives to locate and rescue the seven victims.
The rescued victims were subsequently taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention, with the command disclosing that one of them sustained a gunshot injury during the incident.
Rather than ending the operation after rescuing the victims, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and its collaborating agencies intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang.
The police said at about 2 a.m. on August 6, anti-kidnapping operatives, supported by DSS personnel and acting on credible intelligence, located and stormed a suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway.
The suspected kidnappers reportedly engaged the security operatives in a gun battle, during which three suspected members of the gang were neutralised.
Other members of the gang reportedly escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
One AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, four mobile phones and N2.3 million cash were recovered from the hideout, according to the police.
The bodies of the three deceased suspects were deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, while the command said efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Beyond the kidnapping operation, the Ogun Police Command said its various divisions recorded several other breakthroughs between August 3 and August 5.
At Itele Division, police arrested a suspected armed robber identified as Babatunde Olasunkanmi, after a commercial motorcyclist reported that two passengers he picked up at Three Crown Bus Stop allegedly attempted to rob him at gunpoint.
The incident reportedly occurred along Orji Block Area, Itele, at about 12:48 a.m. on August 3.
The police said Olasunkanmi allegedly pointed a locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol at the motorcyclist, while his accomplice escaped with the victim’s red Bajaj motorcycle.
A locally fabricated pistol, criminal charms, a Tecno Android phone and a UBA ATM card were recovered from the suspect.
Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.
In another operation, 23 foreign nationals were arrested by operatives of Atan-Ota Division over an alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences.
The suspects were arrested on August 4 at a gated residential building within an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota, following intelligence received by the police about suspected fraudulent activities at the location.
A Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was among the items recovered.
Following preliminary investigation, 21 of the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5 for further investigation and appropriate action.
Two others remained in police custody in connection with alleged obtaining by false pretence and other related offences, pending the conclusion of investigation.
The command also announced the arrest of a suspected serial fraudster and fake clergyman, identified as Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny.”
Makinde was arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 3 following four months of intelligence gathering and discreet investigation by detectives attached to the Obantoko Division.
Police alleged that the suspect manipulated unsuspecting victims under the guise of spiritual deliverance across Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.
Preliminary investigation, according to the command, further revealed that the suspect allegedly collected about N2.5 million from 18 fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, after promising to organise a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and allegedly promising each member N2 million.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigators work to identify additional victims and apprehend his alleged accomplices.
At the Sakura Division, police recovered an English submachine gun and 75 rounds of live ammunition after a firearm was discovered concealed inside a damaged wardrobe during the clearing of a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord.
The discovery was reported on August 5, with police immediately securing the location and recovering the weapon and ammunition.
The command said the recovered exhibits would undergo ballistic examination by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, as investigators work to determine how the firearm and ammunition came to be concealed in the apartment.
Meanwhile, 12 suspected cultists were arrested by operatives of the Idi Oke Division following intelligence about suspected cult activities at Harodous Hotel, Lattykay, Igbesa.
The police said the suspects were allegedly harassing and extorting patrons at the hotel.
Several other suspects reportedly fled when the police arrived.
Recovered during the operation were assorted charms, battle axes, knives, cult paraphernalia, eight motorcycles, a black Lexus vehicle and an unregistered red Toyota Camry.
The command said the arrested suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, while efforts continue to apprehend those who escaped.
At Owode-Egba Division, police recovered an abandoned white Toyota Hilux along the Alapako-Ogunmakin Road.
The vehicle was recovered on August 4 after police received information about it, with the owner later confirming that it had been stolen from his residence four days earlier.
In a separate operation the same day, detectives arrested a 31-year-old man, Samuel Adetunji, over the alleged theft of a commercial tricycle entrusted to him by its owner.
The stolen tricycle was subsequently recovered at Rounder, Abeokuta.
The suspect is expected to be charged to court after the completion of investigation.
At Sagamu Division, police also recovered an abandoned red Bajaj motorcycle near a mechanic workshop at Trailer Park, Kara, Sabo Sagamu.
The command said the motorcycle was recovered on August 5 and secured while efforts were being made to identify its rightful owner and determine the circumstances surrounding its abandonment.
The Commissioner of Police commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as his proactive intervention and continued support for the security architecture of Ogun State.
Ojajuni particularly acknowledged the governor’s engagement with the Inspector-General of Police, saying it facilitated the deployment of the police helicopter that contributed to the successful rescue of the seven kidnap victims.
He also commended officers and men of the command, especially the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical and investigative teams, for their professionalism, courage and prompt response.
The commissioner further praised the DSS, Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies for their collaboration and intelligence sharing.
He said the successful rescue of the victims and disruption of the suspected kidnappers’ hideout demonstrated the importance of coordinated security operations.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols, rapid response and sustained inter-agency collaboration to prevent crime and bring perpetrators to justice.
He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to the police.
The command said further updates would be communicated as developments warrant.
