The Divisional Police Officer of Isara Division has rescued nine of the 10 recently kidnapped persons in Ogun State.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, Omolola Odutola, in a statement, disclosed that a report was received at about 7:00pm that suspected hoodlums emerged from the bush near Bamboo area of Ogun State, inward Lagos State, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

She added that the yet to be identified gunmen barricaded the highway with articulated vehicles, blocking oncoming motorists, shooting indiscriminately into the air, thereby, causing commotion and panic, which made motorists to abandon their vehicles and flee into the bush.

Odutola pointed that based on the information, the Divisional Police Officer and his team swiftly raced to the scene together with an armed patrol team on transit, rapidly returned gun fire, which aided the escape of nine kidnapped victims who later rejoined their vehicles and continued their journey.

She pointed out that a white Mazda bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, as Eunice Afolake Osalusi “f”; Erinfolami Samuel “m”; Obafemi Da Altantra “m”, and Adeyinka Matthew sustained non-life threatening bullet injuries while escaping from the kidnappers, but recuperating and stable in the hospital.

The police image maker, however, disclosed that one Bilikisu Kazeem “F” aged 37 years, died before getting to the hospital.

“One Philip Aivoji “m” whose identity was later given by those earlier rescued revealed he is the Lagos State PDP Chairman and still being held captive, but covert operations are in place to ensure his release.”

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command, yesterday, said its operatives foiled a kidnap attempt at Dandume community, neutralised one suspected bandit and recovered one general purpose machine gun.

The command disclosed that the Dandume Divisional Police headquarters received information about the movement of some suspected armed bandits, who wielded dangerous weapons.

In a statement, the Command’ Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Aliyu, said upon receipt of the report, the Dandume Divisional Police Headquarters mobilised men of both Operation Sharan Daji and Restore Peace to the scene.

“The team gallantly engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce gun duel and succeeded in repelling the attack. In the course of scanning the scene, the body of one suspected bandit, as well as one general-purpose machine gun with 27 rounds of 94.5mm live ammunition, were recovered from the scene.”

The statement further said the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, commended the officers’ outstanding display of bravery, dedication, and professionalism, urging people of Katsina State to continue to avail the command and other security agencies in the state with timely information on suspected criminal activity to enable the command and other security agencies to take swift and decisive action against any recalcitrant criminals.

Also, the troops of 6 Brigade, Jalingo, in Taraba State, on Friday night, engaged bandits in a fierce battle in Wukari Local Council of the state.

The clash, according to the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Kinsley Uwa, occurred following the sound of gunshots near a disputed land along Tsukundi Road in Wukari.

The swift response of the 93 Battalion, operating under 6 Brigade, according to him, was instrumental to the success of the intervention.

Demonstrating exceptional courage and professionalism, the troops, Uwa said, meticulously combed the nearby bushes.

Confronting the armed groups, the soldiers effectively employed their superior firepower, compelling the militias to abandon their positions and flee.

Exploiting the area, the troops, he said successfully recovered a significant cache of weapons, including 2 AK 47 rifles with 36 rounds of 7.62 MM special ammunition, 10 empty cases of 7.62 MM, 1 double barrel rifle, and one single barrel rifle with 14 live cartridges.

This engagement, according to Uwa, underscored the unwavering commitment of the military to uphold peace and security in Taraba State.

He added that the residents and the general public can be assured that the relentless efforts of 6 Brigade’s troops will persist until all criminal elements within the state are eradicated from their enclaves. (The Guardian)

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