The Nigeria Police Force, Wednesday, rescued Mrs Folasade Odumosu, wife of the former Assistant Inspector General, Hakeem Odumosu, from the captivity of the dare-devil kidnappers who abducted her in front of her home in Arepo, Lagos, Thursday, last week.
Force Public Relations Officer, FPPRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the good news via a press statement on Thursday in Abuja, revealing that two of the criminals were eliminated while the other four escaped.
According to the FPPRO, police operatives who raided the criminals’ hideout in a swampy area of Ikorodu, near Lagos, at dawn on Wednesday, also recovered N10m cash initially paid to the kidnappers, four Ak-47 rifles, three locally made single barrel rifles, and ammunition of various calibres.
The feat by operatives of the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Adejobi added,was enhanced by the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms.
The police spokesman further informed that Mrs. Odumosu has since been reunited with her family but she is currently undergoing medical evaluation.
Here are excerpts from the statement by Adejobi: “In a commendable display of teamwork and swift action, police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command have successfully neutralized the kidnappers of Mrs. Odumosu, wife of Retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, and rescued her unharmed.
“On January 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45 PM, four masked gunmen forcibly abducted Mrs. Odumosu from her Lexus Jeep outside her residence in Arepo, Ogun State. The abduction sparked an immediate response from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Ogun State Police Command, who commenced a thorough investigation and targeted pursuit of the kidnappers.
“With the support of the Force Headquarters technical intelligence platforms, the Ogun State police operatives engaged in extensive surveillance of the creeks surrounding Arepo, gathering crucial information to track down the assailants. Their efforts culminated in a raid on January 23, 2025, at around 06:45 AM. The intelligence-led operation took the police to a creek in the swampy area of Ikorodu, where the kidnappers were reportedly planning their next attack.
“Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire. In the ensuing confrontation, two of the gunmen were neutralized, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.”
He added: “The victim, Mrs Odumosu was rescued within the swampy creeks during the operation, unharmed. She is currently undergoing medical evaluation as a precautionary measure and has since been reunited with her family. The police also recovered 4 Ak-47 rifles, 3 locally made single barrel rifles, ammunition of various calibres, and the sum of N10,000,000 ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers, further ensuring that justice is served.”
Adejobi also revealed that the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lanre Ogunlowo, and the police operatives involved in the rescue operation for the gallantry displaced during the operation.
“This operation exemplifies the dedication and resilience of our Police officers,” the IGP said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, providing safety and security to all citizens.”