By Ola Taiwo
Security agents have rescued nine kidnapped victims in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The rescue was achieved when the kidnappers were allegedly moving the victims towards Niger state.
The kidnappers were said to have been intercepted on the way by the security operatives who killed three of the kidnappers before rescuing the victims.
The security agents who carried out the rescue operation included those of the Department of Security Service (DSS), Forest Guards, local hunters and the vigilante.
The operation which was reportedly embarked upon after credible intelligence was carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi communities along the Kwara border with Ekiti and Niger states.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council, Prince Dada Sunday, said the victims were abducted shortly after the Eju community market closed.
It said they were being moved through the forest towards neighbouring Niger State before security operatives intercepted the kidnappers.
One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo-Aiyegunle, narrated his ordeal, saying the kidnappers struck unexpectedly.
“Men came from nowhere and put a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. Fear gripped me and I fell to the ground. They also took my friend’s motorcycle and kidnapped us,” he said.
Another victim, Ibrahim Danga, also from Obbo-Aiyegunle, confirmed that they had spent only a short time in captivity before security personnel stormed the area and secured their freedom.
A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, disclosed that the rescue followed an intelligence-led bush-combing operation.
“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” he said.
Adebayo, however, appealed for improved operational support, noting that the armed criminals possessed sophisticated weapons.
“There is no type of firearm that is not in their hand. We need more equipment such as body armour, binoculars, night goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them,” he appealed.
The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti Local Government Area, Agbemuko Gabriel, praised the Forest Guards and other security personnel for their swift intervention.
“What they did for us two days ago, they are the ones that helped us rescue those people that were kidnapped along the Ora-Yetoro axis. They have been doing enough security and intelligence work for us and we are happy for that,” Gabriel said.
The security operatives also reportedly recovered several motorcycles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing bandits during the operation.
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