Police Neutralise Kidnappers of AIG Hakeem Odumosu’s wife, Recover Ransom

James Sowole in Abeokuta and Linus Aleke in Abuja

Operatives of the Nigeria Police neutralised kidnappers of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police Hakeem Odumosu’s wife, and recovered the ransom taken before she was released.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had abducted Odumosu’s wife from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State.

The kidnappers were said to have stormed the home of the Odumosus while shooting sporadically.

Confirming the incident in Abeokuta, spokesperson of the Ogun State Command, Omolola Odutola, said the command reacted swiftly to the abduction by deploying operatives to secure her release.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, applauded the operatives and Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, for neutralising the kidnappers.

“We are committed to safeguarding Nigerian citizens and our dear country,” Egbetokun said.

Announcing the development, in a statement, force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, promised to update the public on the rescue operation.

Adejobi stated, “In a commendable display of teamwork and swift action, police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command have successfully neutralised the kidnappers of Mrs. Odumosu, wife of Retired Assistant-Inspector General, AIG Hakeem Odumosu, and rescued her unharmed.

“On January 16, 2025, at approximately 9:45pm, 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 neutralised, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.

“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 four Ak-47 rifles, three 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.”