The successful rescue was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council, Dada Sunday, in a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday. According to the statement, the victims were abducted from the Eju community after the local market and were being transported through a forest route toward Niger State when the joint security team intercepted the kidnappers.
One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu from Obbo-Aiyegunle, recounted the terrifying experience, explaining how he and his son were captured by armed men. “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,” Muazu said.
Another victim, Ibrahim Danga, also from Obbo-Aiyegunle, said the captives had spent only a short period in the custody of the kidnappers before security personnel launched the operation that secured their release.
A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, disclosed that the rescue followed actionable intelligence which prompted a bush-combing mission. The operation resulted in a gun battle with the suspected bandits. “We neutralised three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” Adebayo said.
While commending the success of the mission, Adebayo stressed the need for better equipment to sustain the fight against criminal groups operating in forested areas. “There is no type of firearm that is not in their hands. We need more equipment such as body armour, binoculars, night-vision goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them,” he added.
The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti Local Government Area, Agbemuko Gabriel, praised the Forest Guards for their contribution, describing them as instrumental in recent security successes. “What they did for us two days ago – they are the ones who helped us rescue those people who 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 statement added that motorcycles allegedly recovered from the suspected bandits were displayed by security operatives, while the rescued victims were also presented after the operation. The latest rescue comes as authorities intensify bush-combing operations and joint patrols across Kwara's southern border communities to combat kidnapping and banditry. It also follows President Bola Tinubu's approval for the establishment of a new Nigerian Army battalion in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, to strengthen military operations against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes in the state.