The Kwara State Police Command said its men have rescued a two-year-old child and 11 market women who were kidnapped at Oke-Ode axis in Ifelodun local government area of the state last Wednesday.
The women who went to trade at Oke-Ode market were waylaid and abducted around Oyi Bridge in Yaaru/Olayinka Village by some kidnappers along Ajase-Ipo/Oke-Ode Road while returning from the market.
Spokesperson of Kwara Police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi who confirmed the rescue to LEADERSHIP on Tuesday, said that 12 persons including a two-year-old child were rescued by a combined team of security agencies.
She said, “11 market women and a two-year-old child were rescued by the security team who combed the forest in search of the kidnapped victims. All the victims have been rescued and released to their families.”
“Some of those that were injured during the rescue operation were taken to the General hospital, Share, Ifelodun local government and have been discharged after the treatment.”
Coordinator of Kwara South Joint Community Security Watch, Mr Olaitan Oyin-Zubair hailed the joint security operatives for their efforts in rescuing all the abductees from the kidnappers’ den.
Oyin-Zubair said, “The gallantry and steadfastness of hunters/vigilante on the successful rescue of all abductees in last Wednesday’s kidnapping along Ajasepo/Okeode Road by Oyi Bridge between Yaru-Olayinka in Ifelodun local government of the state is commendable.”
He recalled that 15 market women were waylaid and abducted on the highway by kidnappers between 6-7pm on the fateful day but through spontaneous efforts of hunters and vigilante, nine regained their freedom a day after the incident.
“The rescue team of hunters/vigilante and Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Police Force never rested in combing the forests till the last batch of the abductees regained their freedom yesterday (Monday.)”