The Nigeria Police has clarified that two young boys who were reportedly struck dead by thunder were not kidnappers, but herders in Oro-Ago area of Kwara State.
The Command’s spokesman, SP Okasanmi Ajayi in an update on Isanlu-isin kidnap, issued on behalf of the State Commissioner, CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi in response to a viral video that provoked a wave of applause on social media.
This was revealed by the father of the victims whose ages were given as 10 and 12 years, according to Ajayi who said the father of the victims, was accompanied by Mohammed Oni Anishere, the chairman of the Oro-Ago vigilante group, Mumini Usman, the leader of vigilante Oko, Chief Olukosi of Oke-Oyan, and Idris Male, also of Oke-Oyan.
The Command’s spokesman explained that three kidnapped victims in Isanlu-Isin that were formerly held in captivity “have been released as a result of the pressure asserted by the command tactical teams and the vigilante led by CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi late yesterday (Friday) night”.
The police statement noted that four suspected kidnappers arrested around Oro-Ago forest have been charged in court.
“The Command wishes to state categorically that the two young boys killed by that unfortunate lightning were herders aged 10 and 12 years old. This was revealed by the father of the victims, who was accompanied by Mohammed Oni Anishere, the chairman of the Oro-Ago vigilante group, Mumini Usman, the leader of vigilante Oko, Chief Olukosi of Oke-Oyan, and Idris Male, also of Oke-Oyan.
“The Command wishes to confirm that lightning killed two young people, but they were not kidnappers, as was being erroneously amplified in the viral video.
“To this end, the Command wishes to advise the good people of Kwara State to discountenanced the story as no such thing happened, meanwhile four suspected kidnappers arrested around Oro-Ago forest have been charged in court.
“In another unfortunate kidnapping incident that took place in Isanlu-Isin on July 13, 2023, at about 1700 hrs, the following victims were abducted between Ijara-Isin and Isanlu-Isin: 1. Dipe Ajayi 2.Kunle Abolarin 3. Femi Abolarin, and 4. Femi Ajayi, all of Oke-Aran, Isanlu-Isin”, SP. Ajayi said.
Elsewhere, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stationed within the Isin axis, local hunters and vigilantes swung into action and gave the abductors a hot chase while acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.
This led to the abandonment of the Siena bus conveying the victims at the time of incident and one of the victims named Oke Olatunji was rescued by the team, the police statement said.
“Today the CP personally led another special tactical team on search and rescue operation into the forests within Isin, in the process another victim identified as Femi Ajayi, with bullet injury was rescued and brought to the health center in Isanlu-Isin, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
“At the palace of HRH Oba Olugbenga Oloyede Solomon the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin. The CP met vigilantes, hunters and other Community leaders, where issues affecting the area in general were discussed and strategies and plans were implemented to forestall any further ugly occurrences, as efforts are still being doubled to free the remaining victims and possible arrest of the criminals”.
The statement further explained that, CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi inspected the police post in the town and promised to increase the number of officers in the station to further enhance the safety and security of the people in the area.
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