(Read) The notorious kidnapping gang was neutralized by Lagos State Police [FLASH IMAGES].

On Friday, July 5, 2024, the Lagos State Police Command held a press briefing at their headquarters in Ikeja.

We are pleased to notify Lagosians, gentlemen of the press, that yesterday, Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Lagos State Police Command, led by CP Adegoke Fayoade, MNI, made a significant advancement. Our intelligence-gathering resources produced extremely reliable and useful information regarding a hazardous and well-known gang of kidnappers who are attempting to abduct a few wealthy people in Lagos.

About two weeks ago, CP Fayoade gave the order for the Command's tactical teams to start working on this intelligence. After diligent monitoring and attentive follow-up, they were able to ascertain that the gang was planning to launch an attack in Lagos State's Ladipo neighborhood yesterday. We were able to proactively prepare for them and essentially set up an ambush thanks to this intelligence.

After being caught off guard, the kidnappers refused to surrender and engaged the police in a gunfight. Naturally, they yielded to the police's superior firepower. Two fled with bullet wounds, while nine were neutralized. They were found to have nine AK-47 magazines, four AK-47 rifles, four locally manufactured semiautomatic handguns, three walkie-talkies, a loudspeaker, and a point-of-sale machine. Their two working cars, a blue Lexus RX350 and a black Toyota 4Runner, have also been found. Investigations are still being conducted in order to apprehend the fugitive suspects.

It is important to remember that the Command has been pursuing this gang for the past eight months due to their repeated abductions of affluent people in Lagos State's Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo neighborhoods. It is with great pride that we announce the effective end of their reign of terror.

This development builds on a number of previous recent successes in locating and apprehending gangs of kidnappers and armed robbers as they plot their crimes. To preserve the privacy of the people who provided the information, many of these were not made public.

We ask everyone, especially medical professionals, to keep an eye out for anyone who may have been shot and to notify the local police station or contact one of our emergency lines right once if they see someone with gunshot wounds. In order for us to respond responsibly and quickly, we also use this platform to encourage other well-meaning Lagosians to come forward with information if they feel something is wrong in their community. We pledge to keep their safety and security as our first priority.