Lagos/Ibadan Expressway: Police Move On Kidnappers Ahead Xmas

The Ogun and Oyo state police commands have assured commuters plying the Lagos-Ibadan expressway of their efforts to curtail the activities of kidnappers on the ever-busy highway.

The magazine had earlier reported the fear of Nigerians on the danger posed by the criminals who have stepped up their nefarious activities on one of the busiest highways in Africa.

Last month, suspected kidnappers abducted some motorists, among them a former deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

The don has since been released after paying over N50 million ransom, but other victims remain in the net of the kidnappers.

More Nigerians were however gripped with fear on Tuesday after suspected kidnappers attacked a commercial coastal bus very close to the Sagamu Interchange.

Not a few motorists plying the road have vowed to stop traveling on the road until it becomes kidnappers-free.

Speaking on Thursday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the police commands in the two states are now collaborating to deal with the kidnappers and other criminals posing dangers to people on the road.

He explained that the police had earlier chased the kidnappers away but they returned recently to cause problems for motorists.

According to him, “I am only sure of the attack on Tuesday. But as I am talking to you, the Ogun and Oyo states Commissioners for Police are on the road for on-the-spot-assessment. We are there now; we are brainstorming on how best to solve the insecurity on that road.

“Don’t forget that these hoodlums used to be on the road until last year when our officers attacked and killed some of them and recovered three Ak-47 rifles from them, while some escaped with injuries.

“It was those that escaped with gunshot injuries that regrouped, and they have started launching attacks now; but we will never allow them.”

The criminals are expected to step up their activities ahead of the festive period, according to security experts, the police must ensure constant patrol of the stretch of the highway day and night to keep the kidnappers away.