Police Rescue Kwara Monarch, Two Others

The Kwara State Police Command has rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi, Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, and two other victims abducted by suspected kidnappers in the state.

The victims were rescued during a joint security operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of Kwara State, five days after they were reportedly kidnapped at Igbesi.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi.

According to her, the operation followed a report received at about 10am at the Oro Police Station from a vigilante, identified as Abdul, who reported that one of his colleagues had sustained a gunshot wound to the hand while operating in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

She said the Divisional Police Officer, Oro Police Station, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives, military personnel and vigilantes to the area.

The security team reportedly came under fire after sighting the suspected kidnappers, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which one of the suspects was neutralised.

“The suspected kidnappers opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire during which one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, forcing the remaining members of the gang to flee into the surrounding terrain,” the statement said.

Ejire-Adeyemi said the security operatives sustained the pursuit of the fleeing suspects and subsequently rescued the traditional ruler and two other victims, identified as Maryam Abubakar and Aisha Ilyasu.

She said the victims were immediately taken to a hospital for medical attention and were in stable condition.

The Command attributed the success of the operation to intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration and rapid response by security personnel.

The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives and their partners for their “gallantry, courage and professionalism” during the rescue operation.

Adekimi also directed that efforts be intensified to apprehend the fleeing members of the kidnapping gang and bring them to justice.

The Command said further operations were ongoing across identified security flashpoints in the state.

The CP assured residents that “there will be no safe haven for kidnappers and other violent criminals in Kwara State”, while urging members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information