By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Police command said itsoperatives succeeded in killing two members of bandit group who shot dead a farm worker, Michael Kujore, and abducted a Swiss national, one Andred Beita and his driver along Ibese-Itori road over the weekend.
Both Michael and the expatriate, Andred Beita were said to be workers with Olabel Farms. Another staff of the company, one Ishaya Ibrahim was also reportedly shot during the incident.
Our correspondent gathered that at about 5pm on Saturday, personnel attached to the Chairman of Olabel Farms, Ola Bello, led by one Inspector Hassan Kumode, ran into an ambush while on the escort of the VIP from Ilaro.
They were reportedly ambushed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers between Itori and Ibese road, when coming from Ilaro.
Our source explained further that, “On sighting the policemen attached to the man, the gunmen opened fire on them, and in the ensuing shootout, a Swiss expatriate attached to the farm, Andred Beita, and his driver, who was simply identified as Ifeanyi, were abducted by the gun-wielding kidnappers.
“Two staff of the company, Ishaya Ibrahim and Michael Kujore, sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to hospitals.”
It was learnt that Michael Kujore was rushed to an hospital in Sagamu, where he was confirmed dead as a result of the gunshot injuries.
However, Ishaya Ibrahim was taken to another Hospital, Ilaro, where he is said to be responding to treatment as of the time of filing this report.
Speaking with journalists over the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ogun state Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi said that the police during the encounter killed two of the bandits and also recovered one AK-47 loaded with nine ammunitions.
Oyeyemi said, “The victims went to their farm around Ibese and on their way coming, the gunmen attacked them but the policemen with them displayed rare, courageous bravery.
“They killed two of the kidnappers and recovered one AK-47 loaded with nine ammunitions from the kidnappers.
“But in the process two of the people were injured and were taken to hospitals.
“One, however, died before getting to the hospital. They went away with a Swiss national and one other person.
“The policemen did not want to increase the collateral damage because if they continue to engage them, they had already kidnapped two people and they don’t want to lose the victims, so we are still on their trail making efforts to ensure that those people are rescued unhurt.”