Security forces from the Kwara State Police Command successfully freed seven individuals who had been abducted and held captive in a forested area near Owa-Onire, located in the southern part of the state.
This accomplishment was realized on Wednesday during a coordinated operation spearheaded by a security officer from the Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, working alongside local police and vigilante groups.
The individuals rescued were identified as Adam Khadijat, Mamud Miriam, Mumini Ahmed, Hamadu Haruna, Afusatu Ladan, Usman Ladan, and Abibat Umaru.
In a statement released on Thursday, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the successful rescue mission.
Ejire-Adeyemi explained that the joint effort involved police personnel and community vigilantes who had been conducting persistent search and rescue operations following a series of recent kidnappings in the area.
The official statement detailed: “On Wednesday, 24th September 2025, a combined security team led by an operative from the National Security Adviser’s office, in partnership with the Kwara State Police and local vigilante groups, launched an assault on a forest near Owa-Onire, resulting in the liberation of seven abductees.”
During the raid, security forces encountered armed kidnappers, which triggered an intense firefight. The criminals, overwhelmed by the resistance, abandoned their captives and fled deeper into the forest, allowing all seven victims to be rescued unharmed.
One vigilante member sustained a gunshot wound during the clash and is currently receiving medical care.
Recovered from the kidnappers’ camp were three motorcycles and nine empty AK-47 rifle magazines, indicating the level of armament used by the criminals.
Following their rescue, the victims were thoroughly debriefed and have since been reunited with their families.
Ejire-Adeyemi highlighted that the Command’s Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, commended the bravery and determination exhibited by all personnel involved in the operation.
CP Ojo reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying collaborative efforts with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and bring kidnappers and bandits to justice.
The Police Command also appealed to the public to stay alert and continue providing timely, reliable information to support ongoing security operations, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in maintaining peace and safety.
