Police Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Arrest Suspect In Ekiti Forest Raid

The Ekiti State Police Command says its operatives, in collaboration with the military, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes, have uncovered a kidnappers’ hideout in a forest between Irele-Ekiti in Ekiti State and Ogbe in Kogi State during a joint bush-combing operation.

Two kidnapped victims, identified as Iorfa Solomon (35) and Blessing Kingsley (37), were rescued during the operation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the command said the discovery was made during coordinated security operations in the area.

According to the statement, “Upon sighting the operatives, the suspected kidnappers engaged them in a gun duel. In the process, one of the suspects was arrested, while other members of the gang escaped. Meanwhile, the two victims were rescued unharmed.”

Investigations revealed that the victims were abducted while on duty at Aluta Bar, Ikoyi, in Kogi State, on June 4, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m.

The attackers were said to be about eight in number and armed with guns. They reportedly stormed the bar, shot sporadically into the air, and whisked the victims away into the forest, while others at the scene escaped.

During interrogation, the arrested suspect, Abubakar Kabiru, allegedly confessed to the crime and identified the rescued victims as those kidnapped by his gang. The victims also identified him as one of the attackers.

The suspect reportedly named seven other gang members who are currently on the run, while security agencies have intensified efforts to track and arrest them.

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with useful information in the fight against crime.