Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have rescued a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle in Owo, recovering the victim's stolen vehicle in the process.
The police said the incident occurred in the early hours of June 23 when armed men reportedly stormed the woman's residence, abducted her at gunpoint and fled with her Toyota Matrix car bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of B Division, Owo, received a distress call at about 2:50 a.m. and immediately mobilised operatives to trail the fleeing suspects.
According to the statement, the police team intercepted the hoodlums around the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued.
The command said the superior tactical response of its operatives forced the gunmen to abandon the victim and the stolen vehicle before escaping into a nearby bush.
It added that some of the fleeing suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.
Items recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to belong to one of the fleeing suspects and a torchlight.
The police said a manhunt had been launched to arrest members of the gang, while the case had been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further investigation and prosecution of those involved.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, commended the operatives for their swift response and bravery, reaffirming the command's commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to security agencies, stressing that timely information from the public remains vital in combating crime.
0 Comments