The Ogun State Police Command has secured the safe release of 10 passengers abducted from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu.

A sustained follow-up operations have also led to the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers, the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect and the recovery of three AK-47 rifles.

The victims, who were abducted on November 3, 2026, regained their freedom unharmed at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts by security agencies.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the successful rescue was followed by coordinated operations targeting the criminal network responsible for the abduction.

According to the statement, operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a suspected kidnappers' hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road at about 1:00 a.m. on November 8, where a gun battle ensued.

The operation resulted in the neutralisation of one suspected kidnapper, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the hideout included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition, ₦1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.

In a subsequent operation on the same day, the joint security team, comprising operatives of the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, engaged suspected kidnappers in another fierce gun battle.

The encounter led to the neutralisation of another suspected kidnapper, the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect identified as Abubakar Yinusa and the recovery of two additional AK-47 rifles.

The latest development brings the total number of suspected kidnappers neutralised in the operations to two, while three AK-47 rifles have so far been recovered.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, is leading the Police Command's operations in sustained collaboration with the DSS, headed in Ogun State by the State Director of Security, Mr Adelakun Adeyinka, alongside other security agencies and quasi-security outfits.

The Command attributed the successes recorded so far to sustained operational pressure, intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts among the security agencies, adding that operations had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing members of the criminal network.

It reiterated the commitment of the Police, DSS and other security outfits to ensuring that all those involved in the kidnapping incident are arrested and brought to justice.

Meanwhile, the Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone sighted with suspicious gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or through established security channels.