The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of seven villagers kidnapped early Tuesday morning in Motogun, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims were rescued in a joint security operation on Wednesday in a forest near Owa-Onire.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the joint operation, led by a security operative attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), with police officers and vigilantes, followed sustained search-and-rescue efforts launched in the wake of recent kidnapping incidents in the state.

“During the operation, security operatives encountered armed resistance from the kidnappers, leading to a fierce gun duel. The criminals were forced to abandon their hostages and escape deeper into the forest, while all seven victims were safely rescued,” she stated.

Adetoun recalled that during the encounter, one vigilante personnel sustained a gunshot injury. “He is responding to treatment,” she said.

She listed the victims rescued to include: Adam Khadijat (23, from Oko); Mamud Miriam (24, from Oko); Mumini Ahmed (17, from Oko); and Hamadu Haruna (44, from Ajase-Ipo).

Others, she said, were: “Afusatu Alhaji Ladan and her nine-month-old son, Usman Ladan, both from Omu-Aran, and Abibat Umaru (16, from Oke-Ode).”

According to her, other items recovered from the criminals’ hideout include three motorcycles and nine empty magazines of AK-47 rifles. She added that the rescued victims had been debriefed and reunited with their families.

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command (CP), Adekimi Ojo, applauded the gallantry and resilience displayed by the team involved in the operation. He assured that the Command, in synergy with other security agencies, would sustain aggressive onslaughts against criminal hideouts until perpetrators of kidnapping and banditry are brought to justice.

The Command urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.