The Kwara State Police Command said that it had, in collaboration with local Vigilante, rescued 20 victims abducted on Osi/Obbo-Aiyegunle road in the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, on Saturday said that it rescued all the victims alive on Friday, while three of them that were injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Earlier, the kidnapped victims, who were traveling in three different vehicles from Kwara to Kogi State, were abducted by about 10 gunmen who took them to the bush on Friday.
It said that none of the perpetrators have been apprehended.
The statement said, “The Kwara state Police Command wishes to inform the general public of an incident of abduction and successful rescue operation carried out on 16th August 2024.
“On the said date at about 1500 hours, information was received by the Command that gunmen numbering about ten had ambushed three vehicles along the Osi/Obbo-Aiyegunle road. The gunmen abducted the passengers numbering 20 from three commercial vehicles and forcefully led them into the surrounding bush.
“Upon receipt of this distress call, the Kwara State Police Command, in collaboration with local vigilantes, swiftly mobilised the Divisional patrol team and other tactical teams who launched a thorough search operation. The operation took place within the dense forest area between Obbo-Aiyegunle and Obbo-Ile.
“Through the concerted efforts of our Police detectives, vigilante and community members, the team successfully rescued 20 victims. It is with great relief that we report the safe return of these individuals”.
