…….. in Kwara by Security forces
Biodun Esan, Ilorin
A joint security operation has eliminated a notorious kidnapper named Maidawa and many of his foot soldiers around Isanlu-Isin in Kwara State in a bloody encounter.
The assault was made possible through communication intercepted from the marauding kidnappers, a statement from Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said on Thursday.
“The engagement occurred on September 30 as security forces pressed forward with the operation to rout the criminals, according to an intercept by the state security service.
“The news of Maidawa’s death was broken to other gang members by another wanted kidnapper, Baccujo, around Igboro-Idofin road during a conversation with his associates in faraway Marabar Maigora, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State.
“Security forces, spurred by new calls of the state government for urgent interventions, have ratcheted up the efforts to dislodge the kidnappers who often launch cowardly attacks on civilian populations and abduct people for ransom.
“The operations are phased to cover every area where incidents have been recorded in recent weeks, including Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Edu, and Patigi,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has urged residents of the state, especially people around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs, to be vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the interim.
Rafiu Ajakaye, in a statement credited to the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, on Wednesday night, said the advice was as a result of heightened operations by combined security forces in border towns in Kogi and Kwara, where kidnappers were believed to have hibernated.
“We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines.
“That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” she said.
Olukoju said the government regrets the temporary inconveniences the limited movement may cause in the nearby areas.
“We commend the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals, and charge them to continue until they are totally neutralised and flushed out of our forests,” she added.
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