By Uzair Adam
The Kwara State Police Command has successfully rescued 13 individuals abducted by armed assailants while traveling to a wedding in Kogi State.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with personnel from the Oke-Ero Local Government Security Initiative, was confirmed in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.
According to DSP Ejire-Adeyemi, the operation underscores the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining security in the state.
She explained that the rescue followed a distress call received on December 21, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence and with support from local informants, security operatives identified the kidnappers’ hideout in the Idofin-Igbana area.
“The kidnappers, numbering six and some dressed in military uniforms, engaged the operatives in a gun battle.
“However, they were overpowered by the superior firepower of the security team, forcing them to flee with injuries and abandoning their captives,” the statement read.
The rescued victims include three females and 10 males from locations such as Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and a group of trailer drivers en route to Kogi.
While two of the victims sustained minor gunshot wounds, all 13 individuals received medical attention, were stabilised, and later reunited with their families.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the resilience and swift action of the operatives, noting the importance of community collaboration in combating criminal activities.
The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and called on the public to provide timely information that could aid in curbing crime.