From Ilorin.
The Police Command in Kwara state said it neutralised two Kidnappers, rescued three victims while two others lost their lives during the exchange of gun fire between its personnel and the Kidnappers on Obbo-Ile/Osi road in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state,CP Tuesday Assayomo, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer( PPRO) for the Police Command in the state,SP Ajayi Okasanmi in Ilorin on Sunday and a copy at the disposal of The Reporters.
The police boss recalled that on 16/3/2022 at about 1920 hrs, information got to the command about the blocking of Obbo-ile /Osi road by unknown gun men which led to the kidnap of eight persons, including a man and seven women,all pressengers of two commercial vehicles.
He added that the victims, mostly politicians, were coming from Ilorin to Eruku, Isapa and Obbo Ile respectively, after a programme in Ilorin.
Assayomo said immediately the information got to the command, he quickly drafted a detachment of police men and vigilante to the scene who gave the kidnappers hot chase, leading to the kidnappers abandoning a woman; Zainab Abu of Saki town in Oyo State and two of her children.
The CP further revealed that one of the attacked vehicles, a Mazda Primacy with Reg. Nnumber AFN 504 MG, was taken to the Station for safe keeping.
“However, search and rescue operation of the remaining victims continued and on 19/3/2022 in Obbo Ile Isapa forest,the kidnappers were sighted and were engaged in exchange of gun fire.In the process, two of the Kidnappers were neutralized while the following victims were rescued,”he further recalled.
The Commissioner of Police gave the names of the rescued victims as Rachael Alabi of Obbo Ile, Yemisi Oni ‘of Eruku, Azeez Akeem ‘m’ and Olarewaju Muritala both of Ero Omo Offa garage Ilorin.
“Unfortunately, one Olomo Sunday ‘f’ of Koro Ekiti and Ganiyu Abdulahi of Offa garage Ilorin, Kwara State died in the operation as a result of gun injuries sustained from the kidnappers and their corpses have been evacuated to the hospital for autopsy.
“Efforts are still ongoing to arrest the remaining kidnappers who escaped with bullet injuries,” he promised.
CP Assayomo commensurated with the families of the dead victims and stressed the determination of his Command to ensure that the fleeing suspects weree apprehended.
“No stone would be left unturned in ensuring that the people’s safety and security would not be alternated for anything,”CP Assayomo, assured the people.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
