The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of some senior officials of the Kwara State Local Government Service Commission by gunmen along the Omu-Aran/Ilorin Road.
The victims, identified as the Head of the Legal Department of Oke-Ero Local Government, Elizabeth Arinde, and the Head of Personnel Management of the same council, whose name has yet to be confirmed, were kidnapped on Friday evening while returning to Ilorin for the weekend.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Victor Adekimi Ojo, the command confirmed the incident.
“The Kwara State Police Command confirms a kidnap incident reported at about 5:45 p.m. on Friday, 25th April 2025, at Eleyin village via Isanlu-Isin,” the statement read. “It was reported that about five armed men blocked the highway, stopping two private vehicles, and forcefully taking all occupants to an unknown location.”
It was gathered that a total of seven individuals were abducted at Corner Eleyin along the busy expressway. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen ambushed the two private vehicles and led their captives into the nearby bush.
Following the report, the police, in collaboration with the military and local vigilantes, launched a swift rescue operation. According to SP Ejire-Adeyemi,
“The swift response led to the successful rescue of two victims, Ganiyu Ajayi and Kolawole Adeyemi.”
She added that efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining five victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators.
“The command has intensified security measures across the area, including aggressive bush combing, strategic patrols, and intelligence-driven operations to prevent further occurrences,” the statement added.
