In a well-coordinated operation in Kwara State’s Ekiti Local Government Area, security forces freed nine hostages and killed three armed bandits.
A joint operation involving the Kwara State Forest Guards, DSS agents, local hunters, and vigilantes was carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora, and Osi axis of Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA), according to a statement from Prince Dada Sunday, Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti Local Government Council Chairman. The LGA borders both Ekiti State and Niger State.
He narrated how the operatives had informed the security team that the victims had been kidnapped from the Eju community following the local market and were being led into Niger State through the bush.
The incident took place at about 4:57 p.m., according to one of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle.
Out of nowhere, masked men seized my head and placed a gun to it. We were joined by my son and four of them. I collapsed to the floor in a fit of terror. “They kidnapped us and my friend’s motorbike as well,” Muazu informed the press.
They were detained for a short period prior to the arrival of the security forces, according to Ibrahim Danga, another farmer from Obbo Aiyegunle who was rescued.
Kwara Forest Guardsman Owolabi Adebayo stated that the group had been conducting intelligence-driven bush combing when they encountered the militants.
“Three of them were neutralised, and nine individuals were rescued. According to Adebayo, one of the injured is currently in the hospital.
He went on to say that the bandits had more weapons. They seem to always have a gun on hand. In order to fight them, we require additional weapons, optics, night vision, communication devices, and ammunition.
The forest guards were praised by Agbemuko Gabriel, the Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, for their efforts.
They aided in the rescue of the hostages taken in the Ora-Yetoro axis two days ago, which is what they did for us. Gabriel expressed his satisfaction with the amount of security and intelligence work that they have been providing for the United States.
Several motorbikes, purportedly taken from the criminals, were seen by security agents in footage shot at the location.
This news arrives as the US government steps up its efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry.
If you remember from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the green light to the formation of a new army battalion to reinforce security operations in the Umaro area of Kwara South.
To prevent similar attacks on farming communities, authorities stated that coordinated patrols and bush combing will continue in Kwara South and border communities.