Police officials in the Epe area of Lagos State have gunned down a suspected kidnapper identified as, Niyi Omosola, an indigene of Ondo State.
The incident happened during the rescue operation by a police team to free the victim identified only as Kudirat who was kidnapped in the Elemoro, Ajah area.
While the deceased was collecting the demanded N3 million ransom, he sighted the police but was gunned down in his bid to escape on a motorcycle.
It was learnt that the kingpin led a gang to abduct the 62-year-old business woman at about 7pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015 while she was inspecting the construction work at a petrol station she owned.
According to Punch, the gang later contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N50m. However, after negotiation, our correspondent learnt that the the gang and the family agreed to a ransom of N3m.
The victim’s brother on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 took the agreed ransom to the kidnapper’s hideout somewhere in Epe.
Unknown to Omosola, a team of operatives led by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Commander, Abba Kyari, trailed Kudirat’s brother to the hideout.
Meanwhile, a source from the police disclosed that while collecting the ransom, the deceased initially opened fire when he sighted the police but was shot when he tried to escape thereafter.
The source said, “The kidnappers are a notorious gang. They had conducted several operations in the area. In the latest incident, they demanded N50m initially, but when the family could not produce the amount, they finally agreed to N3m. They also arranged where the place of meeting would be in the Epe area.
“The police trailed the brother, who was taking the money to Epe, where Omosola was waiting. Immediately he collected the ransom, he suspected that policemen were around and he began to shoot sporadically.
“He got on a motorcycle and was riding off when he was gunned down. He did not die immediately.”
It was further gathered that Omosola, who sustained severe gunshot injuries, led the SARS operatives to a bush between Epe and Ijebu Ode, where the woman was held.
His accomplices were said to have deserted the scene before the police arrived their hideout while the victim was rescued alive.
The kingpin incidentally died subsequently from the gunshot injuries.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, explained that the force is making efforts to nab the fleeing gang members, adding that the remains of the deceased has been deposited at a public morgue.
He said, “When the information was received, the operatives trailed the gang to the location.
“The kidnap kingpin actually fired at SARS operatives, who were carrying out the rescue operation, and they fired back. In the process, he was fatally wounded.
“The woman has been rescued, while the corpse has been deposited at a public morgue.
“Efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.”
