Security forces in a joint operation on Wednesday rescued seven kidnap victims after a fierce gun duel with bandits in a forest near Owa-Onire, in Kwara South Senatorial District.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the development in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Thursday.
Ejire disclosed that the operation, which was led by a security operative attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with police officers and vigilantes, followed sustained search-and-rescue efforts launched in the wake of recent kidnapping incidents in the state.
During the operation, the security operatives encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun duel.
The police spokesperson said the criminals were forced to abandon their hostages and escape deeper into the forest, while all seven victims were safely rescued.
One vigilante personnel sustained gunshot injury in the encounter, but he is responding to medical treatment.
The statement identified the rescued kidnap victims as Adam Khadijat of Oko, Mamud Miriam of Oko, Mumini Ahmed of Oko and Hamadu Haruna of Ajase-Ipo.
Others are Afusat Alhaji Ladan and her 9-month-old son Usman Ladan, both from Omu-Aran, and Abibat Umaru of Oke-Ode.
Items recovered from the criminal’s hideout included three motorcycles and nine empty magazines of AK-47 rifles.
The rescued victims had been debriefed, and reunited with their families, the statement added.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, commended the gallantry and resilience displayed by the team involved in the operation.
He assured that the Command, in synergy with other security agencies, will sustain aggressive onslaughts against criminal hideouts until perpetrators of kidnapping and banditry are brought to justice.
The Command urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
