Personnel of the police command also recovered four AK-47 rifles during the operation on Thursday night.
The Lagos State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt, killing nine suspects in the Ladipo area of the state.
Personnel of the police command also recovered four AK-47 rifles during the operation on Thursday night.
It was learnt that the armed kidnap gang was overpowered by the police personnel around Ajao, Okota, Isolo and Ladipo areas of the state.
Confirming the incident in a statement released on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that the suspects were killed during a gunfight with the police.
The statement read, “Our intelligence gathering assets yielded very credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and very notorious gang of kidnappers planning to kidnap some high net-worth individuals in Lagos.
“Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in Ladipo area of Lagos State.
“With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them.
“The kidnappers who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot-out. They of course bowed to the superior fire power of the police.”
He added that nine of them were neutralised, while two escaped with gunshot injuries.
The police spokesman said four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semiautomatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine, and a loudspeaker were recovered from them.
“Also recovered are their two operational vehicles: one black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects,” he said.
He further explained that the Command had been on the trail of the gang for eight months because of their reputation for kidnapping wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo and Ladipo areas of Lagos State.
Hundeyin said the command is proud to declare that the reign of terror has effectively come to an end.
“We urge everyone including medical practitioners to be on the lookout for anyone with gunshot injuries and promptly inform the nearest police station or call any of our emergency numbers if they come across any.
“We also use this medium to call on other well-meaning Lagosians not to hesitate in giving us information when they suspect anything amiss around them to enable us act appropriately and swiftly. On our part, we promise to continue to prioritize their safety and security,” he said.