The Nigerian Police Force Kwara State Command has confirmed the killing of two herders by thunder strike in the Oro-Ago, Ifelodun Local Government area of the State.
Confirming the accident, Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi said the command wishes to state categorically that the two young boys of age 10 and 12 were truly killed by the lightning.
The statement read in part “The command wishes to state categorically that the two young boys killed by that unfortunate lightning were herders aged 10 and 12 years old.
“This was revealed by the father of the victims, who was accompanied by Mohammed Oni Anishere, the chairman of the Oro-Ago vigilante group, Mumini Usman, the leader of vigilante Oko, Chief Olukosi of Oke-Oyan, and Idris Male, also of Oke-Oyan.
He added that the deceased were not kidnappers as was being erroneously amplified in the viral video.
“In another unfortunate kidnapping incident that took place in Isanlu-Isin on July 13, 2023, at about 1700 hrs, the following victims were abducted between Ijara-Isin and Isanlu-Isin: 1. Dipe Ajayi 2. Kunle Abolarin 3. Femi Abolarin, and 4. Femi Ajayi, all of Oke-Aran, Isanlu-Isin.
“Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stationed within the Isin axis, local hunters and vigilantes swung into action and gave the abductors a hot chase, leading to the abandonment of the Siena bus conveying the victims at the time of the incident and one of the victims named Oke Olatunji was rescued on that spot and the remaining three were later released on Saturday night as a result of pressure from the team of Police, vigilante, and hunters.
“Today the CP personally led another special tactical team on search and rescue operation into the forests within Isin, in the process another victim identified as Femi Ajayi, with bullet injury was rescued and brought to the health center in Isanlu-Isin, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
“At the palace of HRH Oba Olugbenga Oloyede Solomon the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin. The CP met vigilantes, hunters and other community leaders, where issues affecting the area in general were discussed and strategies and plans were implemented to forestall any further ugly occurrences, as efforts are still being doubled to free the remaining victims and possible arrest of the criminals.
“The Police boss, CP Ebunoluwarotimi Adelesi also inspected police post in the town and promised to increase the number of officers in the station to further enhance the safety and security of the people in the area.”
Meanwhile in a statement issued by the ORO-AGO DEVELOPMENT UNION (ODU) and signed by its national president and national secretary, Geologist Ayoku Olawole and Engineer Kayode Dosunmu, respectively.
Titled, “Re: Thunder Strike Kills Three Suspected Kidnappers in Kwara”, the organization said that the need to put record straight became important in order to put mind of residents of the area and that of members of general public at rest.
“The occurrence did not happen on Oro-Ago land as erroneously reported by the media.”
The union added that the accident happened in the Oke-Oyan district, not Oro-Ago.
