The Osun Police Command has arrested three persons over the alleged kidnapping of herders in Wasinmi and Ijebu-Jesa areas of the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo during the parade of suspects at the command headquarters.
Gotan said one of the suspects was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 50-year-old herder in a remote settlement near Wasinmi Village along the Gbongan–Ife/Ibadan Road on July 9.
He said the suspect was apprehended on July 12 by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Anti-Kidnapping Section, while attempting to collect ransom from the victim’s relatives.
“On sighting police operatives, the suspect’s gang opened fire, leading to a gun duel. Some of the suspects were shot but escaped with gunshot injuries,” he said.
The police commissioner, however, said the suspect was arrested with gunshot wounds and had been taken to hospital for treatment.
Gotan said N2.2 million, suspected to be ransom proceeds, was recovered at the scene, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Similarly, he said another suspected member of a kidnapping gang was arrested while attempting to kidnap a herder in a settlement in Ijebu-Jesa on May 7.
He said the arrest of the suspect led to the apprehension of another suspect in the Iseyi town in Oyo State.
Gotan added that other suspects were also arrested across the state for various offences.
He said all the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.
Police nab suspect, recover firearms in Lagos
In a similar development, the Police Command in Lagos State has apprehended a 22-year-old suspect and recovered firearms and substances suspected to be Indian hemp during a stop-and-search operation in the Aguda area of the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Adebisi said the suspect was intercepted by police operatives along Adetola Road, Aguda, during a routine stop-and-search operation.
She said a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, while a further search of his bag uncovered a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge.
The spokesperson said that the suspect confessed during interrogation that the recovered pistol belonged to one Emir, who was lodging in a hotel in Aguda.
“Acting swiftly on the information, police operatives proceeded to the hotel, where a search of the room occupied by the said Emir led to the recovery of a double-barrel gun.
“However, the principal suspect fled before the arrival of the operatives,” she said.
According to her, investigation is ongoing, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and other members of the criminal gang.
She said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani, commended the vigilance and professionalism of the operatives involved in the operation.
The image maker said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of residents.
She added that the CP urged members of the public to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and detection.
Adebisi also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines.
“Report suspicious activities through the emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929,” she said.