2 died as police rescue kidnapped victim in Oyo

OPERATIVES of the Oyo State Police Command, alongside vigilance group members, on Tuesday morning, rescued a businessman, Bakare Adamu, from suspected Fulani kidnappers at Sekere Baba’lokuta community in Igbo-Ora area of the state.

During the rescue operation, which occurred around 4:00 a.m, the leader of the Vigilante Group Nigeria (VGN), Tajudeen Ayanwale, and one of the abductors were killed.

The victim, a Fulani cow merchant, was kidnapped at Eruwa at about 8:00 p.m at his farm and made to trek for over eight hours before the police and vigilance group members came to his rescue.

Adamu, who spoke to Saturday Tribune, said the kidnappers were five in number and that one of them told him he was not sure he would return home alive even if his family paid a ransom.

He, therefore, thanked the police and VGN members for reaching him.

However, speaking during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident in Igbo-Ora on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, commended the partnership between the VGN and the police, saying the synergy was helping to curb crime in communities.

Olukolu said apart from the kidnapper who was killed, three others also sustained gunshot wounds and that efforts were currently ongoing towards arresting them.

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The police boss, who also visited the family of the deceased VGN member at Idofin community in Igbo-Ora, commiserated with them over the loss.

He said he had to come personally to visit the family because of the relationship between the police and VGN in the state.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, is aware of the incident and expresses regret over the needless death.

“The Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde and his Special Adviser on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (retd) are aware of the incident.”

Olukolu said the police would continue to work towards protecting the people of the state.

He, therefore, reassured the people of Ibarapa area that the suspects would be arrested.

A member of the deceased’s family, Mr Rashers Adebayo Alatise, thanked the police commissioner for finding time to personally visit the family.

Alatise said the visit would also boost the morale of the VGN members, which had been down since their leader was killed in operation.