No fewer than 13 suspects have been arrested as the Nigerian Police rescued the kidnapped wife of the slain Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Olori Iyabo Aremu and another person.
It was learned that the victims were released on Monday night and arrived in Koro town around 10:45 p.m.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara, Ejire-Adeyemi Toun, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
While he did not reveal the identity of the other freed victim, reports say the second abductee is the Queen’s adopted daughter.
According to the police spokesperson, the rescue efforts were the result of a joint operation by agents from the Department of State Services (DSS), police, military, security guards and local hunters.
He said security operatives combed the forest between Kwara and Ekiti states after Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun ordered the deployment of police helicopters for aerial surveillance.
“A joint operation involving Police, Military, D.S.S, Vigilante/Hunters tirelessly combing the forest yielded positive results.
This operation led to the successful rescue of the wife to the late monarch and one other at about 22:3 hours of 05/02/24.
The rescued kidnapping victim has been reunited with his family and is in good spirits” the statement read.
“In the course of investigation, the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM approved the deployment of a police helicopter for aerial surveillance.
This is to help comb the forest/border between Kwara and EKITI State.
Ejire-Adeyemi said: “The operation also led to the arrest of 13 male suspects who are currently in custody.”
“These suspects are undergoing vigorous interrogation with a view towards aiding the arrest of members of the gang at large.”
The queen was kidnapped on February 1 when gunmen invaded the palace and killed the traditional ruler, a retired army general.
Last weekend, the gunmen contacted the monarch’s family for the payment of N100 million ransom, which has now been reduced to N40 million for the release of the two captives.
Intel Region
