Security Operatives Apprehend Five Suspected Kidnappers in Ekiti Forest Raid
In a coordinated operation led by a joint team comprising the Police, NSCDC, Amotekun, OPC, and local hunters, five suspected kidnappers were apprehended during a thorough search of the forests spanning from Oke-Osun, Ikere/Igbo-Okah, to the dense forest near the Iju/Ikere boundary in Ekiti State.
The individuals apprehended, identified as Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi, and Suleiman Abdulahi, claimed to be herdsmen. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that none of them possessed cattle, and no livestock was found in their possession at the time of arrest.
Confirming the arrests, the Ekiti State Police Command revealed that the operation was conducted in response to recent security concerns, including the tragic killing of two traditional rulers within the state. While the Police Public Relations Office acknowledged the apprehension of the suspects, it refrained from connecting them to the aforementioned killings until further investigations are concluded.
According to DSP Sunday Abutu, the Police spokesman, the suspects were apprehended in a forested area following an extensive search operation aimed at rooting out criminal elements, particularly kidnappers, from the state. Among the items recovered from the suspects were two motorcycles, a cutlass, a jackknife/dagger, and four mobile phones.
The diligent efforts of the security operatives and collaborative approach between various agencies underscore the commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the populace in Ekiti State.
