Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with the Kwara State Forest Guards, local hunters and vigilantes, have neutralised three suspected bandits and rescued nine kidnapped victims during an intelligence-led operation in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The operation was carried out in the Obbo Aiyegunle, Ejiu Ora and Osi communities, which border Kwara and Ekiti states, following intelligence reports on the activities of armed kidnappers in the area.
The rescued victims included farmers who were abducted from their farmlands as well as others who had earlier been kidnapped in neighbouring Ekiti State.
According to reports, the kidnappers fled into the forest after a fierce exchange of gunfire with security operatives, abandoning their captives in the process.
Confirming the operation, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Area, Prince Dada Sunday, said intelligence gathered by security agencies made the successful rescue mission possible.
He disclosed that the suspected kidnappers, said to be more than 10 in number, had assembled victims abducted from different locations before security forces launched the operation.
Sunday also revealed that one of the rescued victims suffered serious head injuries after allegedly being attacked with a machete while resisting abduction.
One of the victims, Umaru Muazu from Obbo Aiyegunle, narrated how he and his son were captured by the armed men.
“They came from nowhere and pointed a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. They also took my friend’s motorcycle before marching us into the bush,” he said.
Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, said they had remained in captivity until security operatives stormed the area and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle.
A member of the Kwara State Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, confirmed that the operation was based on credible intelligence.
“We neutralised three of them and rescued nine victims. They were heavily armed and possessed different types of firearms. We need more operational equipment, including body armour, binoculars, night vision goggles, walkie-talkies and ammunition to effectively confront them,” he said.
Security authorities have continued efforts to strengthen operations against banditry and kidnapping in border communities across Kwara and neighbouring states.
Source: Statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti LGA, Kwara State.
