Kidnap of 13: Local hunters, vigilance team comb Malete community for suspects

FOLLOWING the reported abduction of 13 persons, including a female student of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State by suspected ritualists, local hunters, members of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) and security agencies have mapped out complementary security strategies in the area.

Sunday Tribune’s investigations revealed that local hunters and members of the vigilance team in the area had commenced thorough search of all uncompleted buildings and likely criminal hideouts in the area.

A source, who spoke with our correspondent, said increasing cases of kidnap in recent times in parts of the state were strange to the Malete community, as the area is noted for peace and harmony.

He said the increased security surveillance employed was, among other reasons, aimed at discovering traces or the possible hideout of the hoodlums in the area.

The source, who also said that the local security operatives, together with the policemen in the division, had, on Thursday night, combed the location where the kidnap was suspected to have taken place for possible arrest of the hoodlums.

Also speaking, one of the executive officers of the transport unions in the local government, Alhaji Akanmu Abass, said henceforth, the union had stopped allowing strange commercial taxi operators in the area.

He, however, advised off-campus students of the university and members of the community to be security conscious, particularly, when they come across strange faces.

Speaking on the development, the police public relations officer of the Kwara State police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said no arrest had been made, while assuring that the command was on top of the situation.

The police spokesperson, who advised members of the public, confirmed that men of the command had been dispatched to different locations in the state, adding that security efforts had been intensified in and around the state.

Meanwhile, palpable fear and apprehension enveloped the community  at the weekend, as residents were suspicious of visitors and reluctant to engage in lengthy conversation.

It was also gathered that social and business activities were at low ebb, despite ongoing examination period among the students.

About 13 persons, among whom was a student of the Kwara State University, (KWASU) Malete, were reportedly kidnapped by suspected ritualists on Thursday evening.

Narrating her experience, one of the victims that later regained her freedom, a 200 Level student of the department of Mass Communication, Dorcas Oluwatimilehin Olanrewaju, who was dumped in Omu Aran, Irepodun local government area of the state on Friday morning, said that whereabouts of six of the victims were unknown on Friday.

“While in the taxi I boarded, a woman in the vehicle complained of feelcloseding cold, so the glass windows were closed up. I lost consciousness since. I later found my self among some people in the night. We were about 13 in the place as at Thursday night but the ritualists have taken six victims away. They told us that they are heading to Ekiti state. I was kept inside the booth of the vehicle. When we got to Offa, they asked of my origin and I told them that am from Omu Aran. So, when they wanted to take water for the faulty radiator of the vehicle at Omu Aran, I was dropped and set free, unknown to them, in front of my father’s house”, she said.