Police, Hunters engage kidnappers in gun duel…victim rescued. By John Dike

Two suspected kidnappers were reportedly shot dead while about nine others sustained bullet injuries after gun battle with police and local hunters in Iwo forest, Osun State.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that armed kidnappers numbering about eleven invaded a Fulani settlement at Agbese village near Idi Araba, Oke Oba, Iwo West Local Council Development Area(LCDA) to kidnap one cow merchant named Alhaji Adamu.

An informed sources said that the kidnappers took their victim into a forest around the area while a resident of the village informed the local hunters in the area.

The source hinted that the local hunters later informed the police who mobilised to support the rescue team.

“The police led the rescue operation in conjunction with the local hunters. We combed the forest and sighted the abductors and their captive. We engaged them in gun battle, during the cross exchange of gun fire, two of the abductors were neutralized while others escaped with gunshots injury.

“We rescue the victim and took him to a hospital in Iwo town. The remains of the fallen abductors had been taking to the Police station in Iwo.”

When contacted , the spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident stating that the command would not allow criminals to have a free hand in any part of the state.

He commended his men and local vigilante operatives for responding quickly that led to the arrest of two while others escaped with various degrees of injuries .