Victims kill suspected ‘kidnapper’ as four flee den

Four of the seven persons kidnapped on a farm in Epe last Tuesday have regained their freedom. They reported fled from the kidnappers’ den where they were held.

But, Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni claimed that they were rescued.

The victims identities could not be ascertained as at press time yesterday.

Yesterday, five persons escaped after being kidnapped from Eliaja Farms in Epe.

They escaped following disagreement among the kidnappers over the sharing of money withdrawn from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) with a victim’s card.

The victims were said to have been left with two of the kidnappers, while others went to engage Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operative in a gun battle.

The victims were said to have taken on the duo, killed one of them; incapacitated the other and fled.

According to a source: “Trouble started after the kidnappers fought over money. We heard they argued among themselves over money. The kidnappers withdrew money from ATM gallery with the card of one of the victims.

“It was in the process of fighting over the money that one of them was shot and killed. Apparently angry and mourning their slain colleague, five among them stormed Elisia Farm, hoping to abduct another set of victims.

“They met policemen. They immediately opened fire and riddled a police patrol van with bullets. The policemen scampered in different directions, leaving their vehicle.

But the policemen later regrouped, called for reinforcement and engaged them.”

According to the source, it was the third time gunmen were attacking the Eliasa farms. He said over 30 of them came yesterday.

The source said: “The RRS patrol vehicle stationed in the community was riddled with bullets from the kidnappers. While the gun battle between the police and the kidnappers was going on, about five workers of Eliasa Farm were whisked away.

”We can’t ascertain the number of farm workers abducted for now. We cannot go into the farm presently. Those of us who were around when they came, had to escape. We are going to have a head count later to know the number of workers kidnapped. There were gunshots everywhere. The community is under attack.”

The kidnappers were said to have been injured in the exchange.

Some RRS vehicles were damaged, but no policeman was injured.

Contacted, police chief Owoseni said no one was kidnapped. The police, he claimed, rescued the four farm workers.

He said: “Police operatives deployed to comb the area rescued the victims. Then some of the kidnappers came out in an attempt to abduct more farmers but they were engaged in gun battle with the operatives. They ended up retreating.”