Joint security forces including the Department of the State Service (DSS), Forest guards, local hunters and the vigilantes have killed three suspected bandits, on Tuesday, rescued nine kidnap victims in a coordinated operation in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

 

A statement given newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti Local Government Chairman, Prince Dada Sunday said that the rescue operation, carried out in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi axis of the LGA bordering Ekiti State and Niger State, was jointly conducted by the state-recruited Forest Guards and the DSS, local hunters and vigilantes.

 

According to sources, the victims were abducted from Eju community and were being moved through the bush toward Niger State before the security team intercepted them.

 

One of the victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, said the attack occurred around 4:57pm, recalling: “Men came from nowhere and put 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.”

 

Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, also of Obbo Aiyegunle, confirmed they were held briefly before security forces arrived.

 

Owolabi Adebayo, a Forest Guard, said the team had been on intelligence-driven bush combing when they engaged the terrorists.

“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries,” Adebayo said.

 

He added that: “there is no type of firearm that is not in their hand. We need more equipment such as body armor, binoculars, night goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them.”

 

The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, Agbemuko Gabriel, commended the forest guards for their efforts.

 

“What they did for us two days ago, they are the ones that helped us rescue those people that were kidnapped along Ora-Yetoro axis. They have been doing enough security and intelligence work for us and we are happy for that,” Gabriel said.

 

Footage from the scene showed security operatives with several motorcycles allegedly recovered from the bandits, while the nine rescued persons were paraded.

 

The development came as the Federal Government moves to strengthen the fight against banditry and kidnapping. It was also disclosed that a new Army battalion has been approved for Umaro in Kwara South to bolster security operations in the area.