Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the state-owned Amotekun Corps following the successful rescue of 10 passengers abducted from a commercial vehicle in the state.
The victims, including a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), were kidnapped around Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area.
The rescue operation, which involved coordinated efforts by security agencies, also resulted in the killing of one suspected kidnapper and the arrest of another.
Governor Abiodun described the operation as a significant achievement in the state’s efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, particularly along major transport routes and vulnerable communities.
The governor specifically commended the Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for providing intelligence support and sophisticated security equipment that contributed to the successful operation.
He also acknowledged the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu, whose directives facilitated the mobilisation of the Ogun State Police Command and other security operatives to secure the victims’ release.
The governor further praised the leadership and personnel of the Ogun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps for their contributions to the operation.
In a statement, Abiodun warned that his administration would not allow kidnappers and other criminal groups to establish operational bases or safe havens anywhere in the state.
He assured residents that the government was strengthening collaboration with security agencies to identify, pursue and bring criminal elements to justice.
The governor also called on residents to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information about suspicious movements, individuals and activities within their communities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing the necessary logistical and operational support to security agencies to improve their capacity to protect lives and property.
The rescue comes amid persistent concerns over kidnapping and insecurity along parts of the country’s major highways and rural communities, where criminal groups have continued to target commuters and other vulnerable residents.
For Ogun State, the incident highlights the importance of intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration in responding to security threats.
The involvement of federal security agencies alongside state-backed security structures also underscores the need for stronger coordination in addressing criminal activities that cut across local government and state boundaries.
While the successful rescue offers relief to the victims and their families, sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering and community cooperation will remain important to preventing similar incidents.
