Terrorists kidnap 10 persons in Kwara

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By Demola Akinyemi

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Terrorists during the week stormed Ifelodun Local Government Area in Kwara State, abducting 10 people in Ahun and Oro-Ago communities combined.

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Meanwhile, the terrorists have reached out to the relatives of one of the victims, demanding a ransom of N10 million to release him.

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Vanguard reliably gathered that all the kidnappings were carried out early Wednesday morning, with six in Ahun and another four in Oro-Ago and Oyate, respectively.

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The wife of a victim told journalists in Ilorin on Friday that her husband, a sawmill operator, Clement Emmanuel and his apprentice, Solomon, were seized while cutting trees in the farm in Ahun village.

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Another female source (names withheld) hinted that two others, Adewole and Adebayo, were kidnapped while about to start burning felled trees to produce charcoal.

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Mrs. Emmanuel, however, told our reporter on the phone that the kidnappers have reached her, demanding N10m ransom.

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“Please oga reporter, help plead with them to release my husband sir, where will I get the N10m they asked for?” She asked.

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Commissioner of Police (CP), Adekimi Ojo, at the police media briefing, told newsmen that he was yet to be officially briefed.

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He, however, explained that his men carried out a coordinated joint intelligence-led operation in Oro-Ago, following intercepted communications revealing plans by a suspected kidnapping syndicate to infiltrate the area to service and refit motorcycles intended for criminal operations.

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“The operation resulted in the arrest of ten suspects, including a mechanic and a logistics operative allegedly supplying fuel and other operational support to the syndicate.

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“Ten Bajaj Boxer motorcycles reasonably suspected to be operational assets for kidnapping and banditry activities were recovered as exhibits,” he said.

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Ojo further revealed that the Command also arrested a 23-year-old alleged female kidnapper: Awawu Maliki Bodo with whom one revolver and three live cartridges were found.

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