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The police have rescued nine people who were kidnapped with Philip Aivoji, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ogun State Police Command, stated that they were rescued while police were pursuing Mr Aivoji's abductors.
"Ten people were captured. However, nine of them, including females, were rescued in the early hours of Friday. Philip Aivoji is the only one still being held.
"So, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and other security agencies, attempted to track down those individuals. But it has not been successful," she stated.
Mrs Odutola stated that two people died in the attack, one of whom was Bilikisu Kazim, a 37-year-old woman driving a Mazda 626 with the registration number OGUN WDE986MM.
She revealed that the gunmen's AK-47 gun, which contained 28 live ammunition, and a car key were recovered from the scene.
The PPRO also stated that the attack occurred near Bamboo Bush, Isara, in Lagos, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway
"The incident happened near a place called Bamboo bush area, not Ogere as earlier reported. Some people just suddenly came out from the bush, they blocked the highway and started firing indiscriminately into the air, causing commotion for oncoming vehicles.
“In the process, a lot of people came out from their vehicles and hid in the bush. Nearby police officers retaliated. There was also an army vehicle that was in transit that retaliated with gunfire. That was why they were unable to kidnap all 10,” Mrs Odutola said.
She emphasised that the police will do everything possible to rescue the kidnapped Lagos PDP chairman.
When asked if the kidnappers were demanding a N200 million ransom from the family, the Ogun State Police spokesperson said she couldn't reveal the information for security reasons.
PREMIUM TIMES