By Muyideen Aliyu
Nine persons abducted by suspected terrorists have been rescued, and three bandits killed, during a coordinated operation by joint security forces in the Ekiti Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State.
This was disclosed in a statement by Prince Dada Sunday, the Press Secretary to the Ekiti Local Government Council Chairman.
He stated that the rescue operation was carried out along the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora, and Osi axes of Ekiti LGA, which border Ekiti State and Niger State.
Sunday noted that the operation was conducted by state-recruited Forest Guards in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters, and vigilantes.
According to the statement, the victims were abducted from the Eju community after a local market session and were being moved through the bush toward Niger State before the security team intercepted the perpetrators.
One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo-Aiyegunle, recounted that the attack occurred around 4:57 p.m.
“The men came out of nowhere and held a 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,” Muazu said.
Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, also from Obbo-Aiyegunle, confirmed they were held briefly before security forces intervened.
Owolabi Adebayo, a member of the Kwara Forest Guards, stated that the team was engaged in an intelligence-driven bush-combing operation when they encountered the terrorists.
“We neutralized three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is currently receiving treatment for injuries,” Adebayo said.
He added that the bandits were heavily armed.
“There is no type of firearm that is not in their possession. We need more equipment, such as body armor, binoculars, night-vision goggles, walkie-talkies, and additional ammunition to effectively confront them,” he said.
The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti LGA, Agbemuko Gabriel, commended the forest guards for their bravery and swift action.
“Two days ago, they helped us rescue the individuals kidnapped along the Ora-Yatere axis. They have been doing vital security and intelligence work for us, and we are grateful for their efforts,” Gabriel said.
Footage from the scene showed security operatives with several motorcycles allegedly recovered from the bandits, alongside the nine rescued individuals.
This development comes as the Federal Government steps up efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping across the region.
Additionally, authorities announced that a new Army battalion has been approved for Omu-Aran in Kwara South to bolster security operations.
They assured the public that bush-combing and joint patrol operations will continue across Kwara South and its border communities to prevent further attacks on farming settlements.