The Kwara State police command has rescued Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, the Onigbesi of Igbesi, alongside two other kidnapped victims, following a decisive security operation around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis of the state.

This was disclosed by Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement on Thursday, saying that the victims were abducted at Igbesi on Saturday.

She stated that the operation commenced following a report received at about 10:00 hours at the Oro Police Station from Mr Abdul, a vigilante, who disclosed that one of his men had sustained a gunshot injury to the hand while in the bush around Elerin/Ijomu-Oro.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the DPO, Oro Police Station, led a combined team of Police operatives, military personnel and vigilantes to the reported location.

“On sighting the advancing security team, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire during which one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised, forcing the remaining members of the gang to flee into the surrounding terrain”, Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said.

She noted that the security team maintained pressure on the fleeing criminals and subsequently rescued the Onigbesi of Igbesi and the two other kidnapped victims, identified as Maryam Abubakar and Aisha Ilyasu.

She further added that the rescued victims were immediately evacuated to a hospital, where they received medical attention and are currently safe.