Spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, has revealed that operatives and kidnappers engaged in gun duel while attempting to rescue Lagos PDP chairman and other victims.
She disclosed that a 37-year-old woman identified as Bilikisu Kazeem, died during a gun battle between police officers and gunmen on Friday, January 26 2024.
The incident occurred on the same Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Philip Aivoji was abducted on Thursday.
Odutola, in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, said nine hostages were rescued from the kidnappers during the encounter.
Recall that on Friday, it was reported that gunmen kidnapped travellers around 6pm on January 26 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including PDP’s Philip Aivoji.
According to the Public Relations Officer, 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 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.
The police publicist noted 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.
