A security outfit known as Iru Ekun, reportedly affiliated with Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has rescued a woman from Oyo State and her son after they were allegedly kidnapped in Kwara State.
According to the group, the victims regained their freedom following a fierce exchange of gunfire between members of the security network and the suspected abductors during a rescue operation.
In a statement released after the operation, Iru Ekun said its operatives acted on intelligence regarding the whereabouts of the victims and launched a coordinated mission to secure their release. The group claimed the operation culminated in an armed confrontation with the kidnappers, who fled the scene under pressure, allowing the woman and her child to be rescued safely.
The identities of the rescued victims were not immediately disclosed, but the group stated that both mother and son were unharmed and had been reunited with their family following the operation.
The incident reportedly occurred in a part of Kwara State where cases of kidnapping and armed attacks have raised security concerns among residents and travellers in recent months.
The group’s account of the rescue has drawn widespread attention on social media, with many users praising the intervention while others called for official confirmation from the relevant security agencies.
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had not issued an official statement confirming the rescue operation or the circumstances surrounding the alleged gun battle.
Similarly, authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the reported kidnapping, and it remains unclear whether any of the suspected abductors were apprehended or injured during the confrontation.
The development comes amid persistent concerns over kidnapping and violent crime across parts of Nigeria, particularly along highways and in rural communities, where criminal groups have continued to target commuters and residents for ransom.
Security analysts have repeatedly stressed the importance of closer collaboration between conventional security agencies and community-based intelligence networks to improve rapid response to criminal activities. However, they also caution that all security operations should be conducted within the framework of the law and in coordination with the appropriate authorities.
Residents of the affected communities have continued to call for intensified security patrols and improved intelligence gathering to curb the activities of kidnappers and restore public confidence.
While the reported rescue has been welcomed by many, authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and intensify efforts to track down those responsible for the alleged abduction.
