The abducted wife of the slain Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti local government area of Kwara State, Olori Iyabo Aremu, and her adopted daughter, Feranmi, have been rescued.
It was gathered that the captives were released on Monday night and arrived in Koro town around 10:45 pm.
A team of combined security operatives reportedly stormed the kidnappers’ den inside the forest to free the captives.
The development comes after the ransom was negotiated to N40m by the gunmen from the initial N100m.
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It was also gathered that several people were arrested during the operation which lasted for hours including “the person who wanted to receive the ransom for the kidnappers”, according to local sources.
Speaking on the incident, the Asiwaju of Koro, Chief Ayobola Samuel, said the “Olori and the girl (Feranmi) have been released and returned to Koro late Monday. To God be the glory”
Also, the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) chairman of the council, Chief Kayode Kehinde Bayode, who also confirmed the development around 12:00 am on Tuesday said the police will give further details.
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In a statement spokeswoman of the state police command, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, released around 6:00 am on Tuesday, 13 suspects were arrested during the rescue operation that included the deployment of a helicopter from the IGP.
According to her, “In the course of investigation, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun approved the deployment of a police chopper for aerial surveillance to help comb the forest/boundary between Kwara and Ekiti state.
“A joint operation comprising the police, military, DSS vigilante, and hunters who tirelessly combed the forest yielded positive results.
“This operation led to the successful rescue of the wife to the late monarch and one other at about 22:30 hours of 05/02/24. The rescued kidnap victims have been reunited with their families, hale and hearty.
“The operation also led to the arrest of 13 male suspects who are presently in custody undergoing rigorous interrogation with a view towards aiding the arrest of members of the gang at large”, she added.
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Toun further said “The commissioner of police, Victor Olaiya remained resolute that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will face the full wrath of the law.
“He further urges the public to be calm and security conscious as they go about their daily activities without fear or anxiety”.
It could be recalled that the late Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, a retired General, was assassinated by gunmen at his palace on Thursday night.
His wife and Feranmi were abducted in the process and whisked into the forest amid heavy shooting.
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