The Kwara State Police Command has successfully rescued 13 kidnap victims in a swift and coordinated operation.

The rescue took place following a distress call on December 21, 2024, and was announced by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement on Saturday in Ilorin.

Ejire-Adeyemi highlighted that this operation underscores the command’s commitment to the safety and security of Kwara residents. The victims had been abducted by armed assailants while traveling to a wedding in Kogi State.

A joint operation involving the police and personnel from the Oke-Ero Local Government Security Initiative led to their rescue.

“Following credible intelligence and support from local informants, security operatives quickly mobilized to the suspects’ hideout in the Idofin-Igbana area,” Ejire-Adeyemi said. “When the kidnappers, six in total and some dressed in military uniforms, saw the security team, they opened fire, but were overpowered by the operatives’ superior firepower. The kidnappers fled the scene, leaving behind their captives.”

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The victims, three females and 10 males from various locations, including Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero LGA, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and a group of trailer drivers traveling to Kogi, were freed. Two individuals sustained minor gunshot wounds but were quickly treated at a nearby hospital and are expected to recover. The remaining victims were stabilized at the scene and later reunited with their families.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, commended the resilience and quick response of the security operatives and thanked the local communities for their timely provision of credible information. He assured the public of the police’s ongoing commitment to combating all forms of criminal activity.

The CP also urged residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines: 07032069501 or 08125275046.

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