The Prince of Okun-Owa was rescued unharmed by Ogun State Police following a coordinated operation that resulted in the deaths of two suspected kidnappers. He had been abducted from his residence in Okun-Owa, located in Odogbolu Local Government Area, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on June 30. The incident triggered an immediate response from the state police command, which deployed its Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command's spokesperson, confirmed the rescue and the outcome of the operation in a statement released Thursday in Abeokuta. According to Babaseyi, sustained intelligence-led operations pressured the kidnappers into releasing the prince unharmed on Friday. Police then moved on credible intelligence to the Agoro/Imodi axis, where suspects opened fire during a raid. Officers returned fire, leading to the deaths of two kidnappers, while other gang members fled with gunshot injuries.
Recovered items from the scene included an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, two mobile phones, a suspected ransom bag, and other materials linked to the abduction. The bodies of the deceased suspects were taken to a government morgue for autopsy. Manhunt efforts continue for the remaining suspects, with police aiming to recover more evidence.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni praised the tactical teams for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command's commitment to dismantling criminal networks. He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to aid security operations. Ojajuni assured the public that intelligence-led strategies would be continuously employed to protect lives and property across Ogun State.
The police recovered an AK-47 rifle from kidnappers who attacked officers during a raid, yet the commissioner's statement made no mention of tracing the weapon's origin. The prince was freed unharmed, but the escape of wounded gang members raises questions about follow-up tracking. If the same weapons keep appearing in criminal hands, it suggests gaps in arms monitoring. The operation's success does not erase the fact that lethal firearms are still reaching kidnappers.
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