No fewer than 13 kidnapped victims have been rescued by the Kwara State Police Command and reunited with the families, ROYAL NEWS has gathered.
Police Spokesperson in the state, DSP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued at the weekend said, “the Kwara State Police command has achieved yet another remarkable success in its fight against criminal activities with the rescue of thirteen kidnapped victims following a distress call on December 21, 2024.”
She added that, “The victims, who were forcefully abducted by armed assailants on their way to a wedding program in Kogi State, were rescued in a joint operation involving the Police and the Oke-Ero Local Government Security Initiative personnel.
“Acting on credible intelligence and with the support of local informants, the security operatives swiftly mobilized to the suspects’ hideout located in the Idofin-Igbana area.
“Upon sighting the security team, the kidnappers, six in number and some dressed to disguise in military uniforms, engaged the operatives in a gun battle but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the rescue team. The suspects fled the scene with various degrees of injuries, abandoning their captives in the process.”
Ejire-Adeyemi further said: “rescued victims includes three females and ten males from various locations, including Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero LGA, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and a group of trailer drivers en route to Kogi State.
“While two victims sustained minor gunshot injuries, all victims were immediately provided with medical care at a nearby hospital, stabilized, and subsequently reunited with their families.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Victor Olaiya, has commended the resilience and swift response of the operatives and expressed gratitude to the local communities for the timely provision of credible information.
CP Olaiya further assured the public of the Command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against criminality in all forms.
“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines 07032069501 or 08125275046. Together, we can ensure the continued safety of our communities”, the statement added.
