Osun State Police Command has rescued one of the six farmers kidnapped in a community sharing boundary with Kwara State.
Police spokesperson in Osun, SP Yemisi Opalola who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the incident occurred on Monday and it was reported in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
Opalola said one person has been rescued by the police, while the command has put efforts in top gear to ensure the release of other victims.
The statement said: “The Osun State Police Command is using this medium to inform the general public that, the Command is aware of the news trending on social media that, ‘gunmen kidnapped six farmers in Osun community’ and wish to set the record straight that, the incident happened at Aworo village near Agbamu town in Irepodun Local Government of Kwara State.
“On the 21st August, 2023, one Mrs Grace Adepoju from Oyan Town in Odo-Otin L.G. area of Osun State, her surveyor and four others went to Agbamu, a community in Irepodun L.G. area of Kwara State for commercial transaction and while returning from the said town at about 6:30pm, they were attacked and kidnapped at Aworo town in Kwara State, which happens to share borders with Osun State.
“The Divisional Police Officer Okuku, Osun State was contacted; he quickly mobilized his men along with local Hunters, Vigilante and later joined by the Osun State Anti-Kidnapping squad that evening to pursue the kidnappers since the area was a few kilometers from his Division.
“As a result of pressure mounted on the kidnapers by the team, they were disorganized which led to escape of Mrs Grace Adepoju unhurt at about 3:00am of 22nd August, 2023 and since reunited with her family, while assisting in the rescue of other victims.
“The team while combing the forest arrested two other persons suspected to be informants to the kidnappers who are presently in custody of the police team from Kwara State.
“Meanwhile, Policemen and other stakeholders i.e. Hunters and Vigilantes of both Commands are still combing the forest areas of the states with a view to rescuing the other victims.
“The Police Command equally assures the general public of its efforts to guarantee security of lives and property at all times.”
