Forest Guards, DSS Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims in Kwara

A coordinated security operation in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, has led to the successful rescue of nine kidnap victims and the neutralization of three suspected bandits.

The operation, a collaborative effort between Kwara State-recruited Forest Guards, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, local hunters, and vigilantes, targeted the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora, and Osi areas. These regions share borders with Ekiti and Kogi states, making them vulnerable to criminal activities.

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Men came from nowhere and put 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.

The rescued victims were reportedly abducted from the Eju community market. Their captors were moving them through a forest route towards Niger State when the joint security team intercepted them. This swift action prevented further harm to the abducted individuals.

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We neutralised three of them and rescued nine people. One of the victims is receiving treatment for injuries.

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu, recounted the terrifying experience of being seized at gunpoint along with his son. He described the fear that gripped him as the attackers took him, his son, and his friend's motorcycle. Another victim, Ibrahim Danga, noted that they had only been held for a short period before security operatives secured their freedom.

Owolabi Adebayo, a member of the Kwara Forest Guards, stated that the rescue was the result of an intelligence-led bush-combing operation that culminated in a gun battle. He confirmed the neutralization of three bandits and the rescue of nine people, with one victim receiving medical treatment for injuries. Adebayo appealed for enhanced logistics and equipment, including body armor, binoculars, night-vision goggles, walkie-talkies, and more ammunition, to effectively combat the heavily armed criminal groups operating in the forests.

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There is no type of firearm that is not in their hands. We need more equipment such as body armour, binoculars, night-vision goggles, walkie-talkies and more ammunition to confront them.

The Chief Security Officer of Ekiti Local Government Area, Agbemuko Gabriel, lauded the forest guards for their significant contribution to the area's security, highlighting their role in previous rescue operations. The operation also resulted in the recovery of several motorcycles believed to be from the suspected bandits.

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What they did for us two days ago, they are the ones who helped us rescue those people who were kidnapped along the Ora-Yetoro axis. They have been doing enough security and intelligence work for us, and we are happy for that.