A joint security team has rescued nine kidnapped victims and killed three suspected bandits during an operation in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The operation was carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi axis of the council area, which borders Ekiti and Niger states. It involved the Kwara State Forest Guards, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and vigilantes.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti Local Government Chairman, Prince Dada Sunday, the victims were abducted from Eju community after a local market and were being moved through the forest towards Niger State when security operatives intercepted the kidnappers.
One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo-Aiyegunle, said the attackers emerged suddenly and pointed guns at him before abducting him and his son. He added that the kidnappers also seized a motorcycle belonging to his friend.
Another victim, Ibrahim Danga, confirmed that they were held briefly before security forces arrived and rescued them.
A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, said the operatives were on an intelligence-led bush combing mission when they encountered the armed men.
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“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” he said.
Adebayo noted that the bandits were heavily armed and appealed for additional equipment, including body armour, binoculars, night-vision goggles, walkie-talkies and ammunition to strengthen security operations.
The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, Agbemuko Gabriel, praised the forest guards for their efforts, saying they had recently assisted in rescuing other kidnapped victims along the Ora-Yetoro axis.
Security officials said bush combing operations and joint patrols would continue across Kwara South and neighboring communities to prevent further attacks on residents and farmers.
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