Nine persons abducted in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have been rescued, while three suspected bandits were killed during a joint security operation.

The operation was carried out on Wednesday by Kwara State-recruited Forest Guards, operatives of the Department of State Services, local hunters and vigilantes.

According to a statement by Dada Sunday, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government Council, the rescue took place in the Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ejiu-Ora and Osi axis of the LGA, which borders Ekiti and Kogi states.

The statement said the victims were abducted from Eju community after a local market and were being moved through a forest route toward Niger State before security operatives intercepted the kidnappers.

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo-Aiyegunle, said the attackers seized him and his son at gunpoint.

“Men came from nowhere and put a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. Fear gripped me, and I fell to the ground. They also took my friend’s motorcycle and kidnapped us,” Muazu said.

Another rescued victim, Ibrahim Danga, also from Obbo-Aiyegunle, said they had been held briefly before the security team arrived and secured their freedom.

Authorities said the joint operation is part of ongoing efforts to flush out criminal elements from border communities in Kwara.