No fewer than 30 kidnappers were killed while over 50 hostages regained freedom during a heavy gun duel between security operatives and the kidnappers at their hideouts in Babasango community, in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.

“The security operation has really been a modest success, despite the ambush laid for the government forces.

“Not only were several of the criminals eliminated, but dozens of their victims have also fled the area. Many are now in Babanla and Shagbe,” the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed the operation in a statement on Tuesday night.

Ajakaye added: “Also, a forest guard whom we thought we had lost to the operation has since returned home after the operation that lasted between Sunday and Monday morning.”

According to him, the victims fled after their captors scampered for safety “in the wake of the determined efforts to dislodge the criminals.

“Many of their abductors died in the encounter with the security forces, while others fled to safety.

“While a lot may need to be done, the Sunday night operation has posted appreciable success in the government’s efforts to rout the criminals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ajakaye hinted that: “Community leaders in Babanla have reported seeing many kidnap victims who escaped from Babasango in the aftermath of the operation.”

He said the security crackdowns are steadily being done until the “cowards are totally chased out of the state.”