Police Rescue Kwara Monarch, Two Others from Kidnappers

The Kwara State Police Command has rescued the king of Igbesi, Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, and two other victims abducted by suspected kidnappers in the state.

The monarch and the two victims, identified as Maryam Abubakar and Aisha Ilyasu, were rescued during a joint operation involving the police, military and local vigilantes in the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis.

The three victims were abducted at Igbesi last week before security operatives tracked the kidnappers to their hideout.

The command said the operation followed information received at about 10:00 a.m. at the Oro Police Station that a vigilante member, Abdul, had sustained a gunshot injury to his hand while operating in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

Acting on the report, the Divisional Police Officer of the Oro Police Station mobilised personnel from the police, military and vigilante groups to the area.

The team reportedly encountered the suspected kidnappers and came under heavy gunfire, prompting a gun battle between both sides.

According to the police, one of the suspects was neutralised during the exchange, while other members of the gang fled into the surrounding terrain.

The security operatives subsequently pursued the fleeing suspects, maintaining pressure on them until they located the kidnappers’ victims.

The monarch and the two women were eventually found and rescued by the joint team. They were evacuated from the area and taken to hospital for medical attention.

The command described the rescue as a result of timely intelligence, coordinated action among security agencies and a rapid response to the reported attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, commended the personnel involved in the operation, praising their courage, professionalism and determination.

Adekimi directed the security teams to intensify efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang and prevent them from regrouping.

He assured residents that security operations would be sustained in areas identified as potential kidnapping flashpoints across the state.

The commissioner said the police and other security agencies would not allow criminal elements to establish safe havens in Kwara.

He also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that such cooperation remained crucial to preventing attacks and apprehending criminal suspects.