POLICE FOIL BUSINESSMAN’S ABDUCTION IN LAGOS, NEUTRALISE FOUR SUSPECTS IN GUN DUEL (PHOTOS)

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt on a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate in the Ejigbo area of Lagos, neutralizing four suspected kidnappers during a gun duel.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

According to the CP, the incident occurred on May 24, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m., following what police described as credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnapping gang known for targeting wealthy businessmen.

“Following credible intelligence received and monitored by operatives of the Command foiled a kidnap attempt by a nefarious kidnapping gang on a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo Area of Lagos.”

He added that “this dreaded group specializes in targeting wealthy businessmen and arrives in Lagos in order to carry out heinous crimes on unsuspecting persons.”

Fatai explained that operatives acted on intelligence that the gang was preparing to attack a prominent businessman in the state.

“On the strength of the information received, operatives monitored the intelligence dutifully. The gang was going to strike a popular business owner,” he said.

The police commissioner further revealed that the alleged gang leader, identified as Ifeanyi, also known as “Ifeko,” was linked to another notorious kidnapping gang previously neutralized in Lagos.

“Additional information has it that the gang leader of this group named Ifeanyi ‘m,’ a.k.a. Ifeko, was the one who trained one Henry Asoona ‘m,’ the gang leader of the billionaire kidnappers that were earlier neutralized in Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in Lagos in 2024,” he stated.

He added that the suspect was allegedly based abroad but returned to Lagos to coordinate the operation.

According to Fatai, “Based on the foregoing, operatives swung into action and moved to the scene, and the gang, on sighting the police, opened fire and engaged the operatives in a gun duel.”

“The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralization of four members of the gang, while one suspect escaped with bullet wounds,” he added.

Recovered items from the scene included “one Toyota Sienna vehicle, one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and twenty-five (25) rounds of live ammunition, one SMG rifle with one magazine loaded with twelve (12) rounds of live ammunition, one Toyota Corolla key, and one Lexus vehicle key.”

The CP also disclosed that an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury during the exchange of fire.

“Meanwhile, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury on his left leg during the exchange of fire and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he is currently responding to treatment,” he said.

Fatai noted that investigation was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and other accomplices connected to the gang.