The Amotekun Corps commandant in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju, said security operatives foiled a kidnap attempt on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday.
CEOAFRICA had reported that there was a suspected kidnap incident by bandits on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
An eyewitness who spoke with newsmen said; “I can confirm some motorists have just been kidnapped near Dominion University, Ibadan. Many vehicles had to turn back but the road is free as I am talking to you.’’
“I saw three vehicles with their doors wide open and not a single person was found inside the three vehicles and there is no trace of where they ran to.’’
“One of the cars smashed it bonnet on the wall while the one behind jammed it from behind but there no sign of accident. We are sure it was a case of kidnap because the vehicles were empty.’’
“At first, we taught it was robbery but if it was not. We should have seen those that were robbed. There was nobody at the scene when my vehicle got there.”
However, Col. Olayanju during a telephone interview with newsmen on Saturday said security agents who were coming from Lagos to Ibadan were said to have ran into the scene and engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and eventually drove them away after foiling the attempt.
He said; “The kidnap attempt occurred at Imolisa village and which is within the territory of Ogun State although it is not far from Dominion University which is located within Oyo State.’’
“I was told that the security agents had travelled to Lagos Airport to pick up their boss and were returning when they ran into the incident.’’
“They were said to have exchanged fire with the criminals but eventually repelled them and chased them away before they could whisk away their targets.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, has not reacted to this development.
But a police officer who spoke with newsmen said if passengers had been kidnapped within Oyo State territory, such would have been reported to the police in the state.