Olori Iyabo Aremu, the abducted wife of the slain Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, has regained freedom.
Olori Aremu, alongside her adopted daughter, Feranmi, was reported to have been freed on Monday and arrived in Koro town around 10:45 pm.
According to reports, a team of combined security operatives stormed the kidnappers’ den inside the forest to free the captives.
The development is coming on the heels of the negotiated N40m ransom demanded by the gunmen from the initial N100m after their abduction.
It was also gathered that several people were arrested during the operation, which lasted hours, including “the person who wanted to receive the ransom for the kidnappers.”
Speaking on the incident, the Asiwaju of Koro, Chief Ayobola Samuel, said the “Olori and the girl (Feranmi) had been released and had returned to Koro late Monday night. To God be the glory.”
Meanwhile, Chief Kayode Kehinde, the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) chairman of the Ekiti LocalGovernmentArea, also confirmed the development, adding that the police would give further details.
However, a statement by the state police command spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi (DSP), said 13 suspects were arrested during the rescue operation that included the deployment of a helicopter from the Inspector-General General of Police (IGP).
She said, “In the course of investigation, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, approved the deployment of a police chopper for aerial surveillance to help comb the forest/boundary between Kwara and Ekiti State.
“A joint operation comprising the police, military, DSS vigilante and hunters who tirelessly combed the forest yielded positive results.
“This operation led to the successful rescue of the wife of the late monarch and one other at about 22:30 hours of 05/02/24. The rescued kidnap victims have been reunited with their families, hale and hearty.
“The operation also led to the arrest of 13 male suspects who are presently in custody undergoing rigorous interrogation with a view to aiding the arrest of members of the gang at large.
“The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, remains resolute that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will face the full wrath of the law. He further urges the public to be calm and security conscious as they go about their daily activities without fear or anxiety”.
The Informant247 had earlier gathered that the late Olukoro of Koro-Ekiti, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, a retired General, was killed by gunmen in his palace on Thursday night while he was eating dinner.
His wife and Feranmi were abducted in the process and whisked into the forest amid heavy shooting.
The gunmen later contacted the family demanding an N100m ransom, which was later negotiated to N40m before the rescue of the captives.