Five persons abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Benin-Ore highway have been rescued following a joint operation by the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands.
The victims were freed less than 24 hours after they were kidnapped near Ogbere Forest in Ogun State during a security mission codenamed “KOSAYE” — a Yoruba term meaning No Space.
Among those rescued were a woman who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, alongside her daughter and sister.
The victims were reportedly travelling from Benin to Ibadan and Lagos when armed men intercepted multiple vehicles on the highway and forcefully marched passengers into a nearby forest.
According to the victims, passengers from three Sienna buses were taken by the kidnappers during the incident.
The attack triggered swift action from security agencies, as concerns continue to grow over recurring kidnappings along the Benin-Ore corridor, a major highway increasingly targeted by criminal gangs.
Acting on intelligence, operatives from both state police commands launched a coordinated search, which led them to the kidnappers’ hideout deep inside the forest.
A gun battle followed, forcing the kidnappers to flee into the bush after being overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security team.
Five victims were successfully rescued, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police authorities say investigations are still underway and assured the public that those behind the attack will be brought to justice.
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Backstory:
The rescue comes amid growing concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings along the Benin-Ore highway, a major transit route linking the South-West and South-South regions of Nigeria. In recent months, the highway has recorded repeated attacks by armed gangs targeting commuters for ransom.
The latest incident occurred near Ogbere Forest in Ogun State, where suspected kidnappers intercepted several vehicles and abducted passengers into the forest. The attack triggered a swift joint security response by the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands under an operation codenamed “KOSAYE” aimed at flushing out criminal elements and securing the corridor.
Police say the successful rescue highlights ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping and restore confidence among travellers using the route.
