A 37-year-old woman, Bilikisu Kazeem, on Friday killed during a gun battle between operatives and kidnappers, Ogun State Police Command has disclosed.
According to reports, the incident, which occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, said nine hostages were rescued from the kidnappers during the encounter.
Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, while disclosing in a statement she made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, said the intervention of the police led to the release of nine out of ten hostages, as only the PDP chairman remained in captivity.
Odutola said, “A White Mazda Bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, while Eunice Afolake Osalusi “f”, Erinfolami Samuel “m”, Obafemi Da Altantra “m” and Adeyinka Mathew sustained non-life threatening bullet injuries in their escape attempts. They are recuperating and stable in the hospital.
“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem “f”, aged 37 years, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. Her remains was immediately collected by her relatives who were conveying her to the hospital, declining any autopsy examination from the police.”
She further listed exhibits recovered from the scene to include “one AK47 Magazine containing 28 live ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums”, handsets and a car key, adding that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations has mobilised tactical commanders on joint operations with other security agencies to ensure that the PDP chairman is rescued unhurt.
The Informant247 reports that gunmen, on Thursday evening, abducted some travellers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Philip Aivoji.
According to sources, the chairman was abducted along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Hon. Hakeem Amode, the state publicity secretary of the party, while confirming the abduction, stated that the chairman was returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke.
Amode called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure his release.
He said, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.
“The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace.
“Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown.
“We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers. We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”
