Suspected kidnappers flee as police rescue woman, toddler from Kwara forest

The Nigeria Police Force has rescued a 43-year-old woman and her two-year-old son from a kidnappers’ hideout in a forest in Kwara State after a gun battle with the suspects.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Okokon Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

He said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), working with local security support groups, carried out the operation on Saturday after receiving credible intelligence on the victims’ location.

According to him, the team stormed a forest in Bode Sadu, where the woman and her child were being held captive.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the kidnappers opened fire in a bid to resist the operation but were met with a swift tactical response, forcing them to flee deeper into the forest,” Iniedu said.

He said the operatives searched the area and rescued the victims, identified as Adijat Kuburat, 43, and her two-year-old son, Abdul Malik Hamzat.

“The rescued victims have since been taken to a medical facility, where they are receiving appropriate treatment and care, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abduction,” he added.

The police spokesperson said security operatives are continuing efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers and bring them to justice.

He also said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the officers involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes through sustained intelligence-led and collaborative operations until all criminal elements are brought to justice,” the IGP said.