An intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) has led to the elimination of three suspected bandits and rescue of nine of their victims during a fierce gun battle in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The victims, it was leant, included farmers seized from their farmlands and others who had earlier been abducted in neighbouring Ekiti State.

They regained their freedom after the kidnappers were forced to flee under heavy gunfire, abandoning their captives.

The operation, which also involved the Kwara State Forest Guards, local hunters and vigilantes, was carried out in the Obbo Aiyegunle, Ejiu Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti LGA bordering Ekiti and Kwara States.

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of Ekiti LGA Prince Dada Sunday, confirmed the operation to journalists.

He said intelligence gathered by security agencies led to the successful rescue mission.

According to the chairman, the kidnappers, numbering more than 10, had assembled victims abducted from different locations before they were overwhelmed by the security operatives.

He disclosed that one of the victims sustained serious head injuries after he was cut with a machete while resisting abduction.

One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, recounted their ordeal, saying armed men suddenly emerged and seized him and his son.

“They came from nowhere and pointed a gun to my head. Four of them took me and my son. They also took my friend’s motorcycle before marching us into the bush,” he recounted. Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, said the victims had been held captive before security operatives arrived and engaged the kidnappers.

A member of the Kwara Forest Guards, Owolabi Adebayo, confirmed that the operation was intelligence-driven.

“We neutralised three of them and rescued nine victims. They were heavily armed and possessed different types of firearms. We need more operational equipment, including body armour, binoculars, night vision goggles, walkie talkies and ammunition to effectively confront them,” he declared.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has expressed confidence in the timely completion of the Lekki 7th Axial Road project following an inspection of ongoing works in the Lekki Corridor of Lagos.

The road, located behind the Dangote Refinery, is a major cargo evacuation route for the Lekki Deep Sea Port. It also links the Lekki industrial axis with the Sagamu corridor, making it a strategic project for port operations, industrial development and national logistics.

During the inspection, Umahi expressed confidence in China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the project contractor, citing the company’s successful delivery of the Lekki Deep Sea Port as well as the quality of work observed on the ongoing Makurdi to Enugu road reconstruction and expansion project.

He instructed that the roadbed filling works for Project Lot One must be completed by the end of April, directing the project team to increase resource input and intensify tangible on site works to meet the deadline. He stressed the need for adequate deployment of manpower, equipment and materials to ensure steady progress.

The Minister noted that the 7th Axial Road is designed to work alongside other key infrastructure projects in the area, including the Coastal Road, Dangote Road and the Lekki Port. According to him, the project will improve cargo movement, reduce pressure on existing road networks and strengthen the Lekki corridor as a major transportation and industrial hub when completed.

Umahi also called for strict compliance with environmental and safety standards, urging relevant agencies to ensure that construction progresses steadily without compromising ecological protection.

The project contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, assured the Minister of its commitment to delivering the road on schedule. A representative of the company said resources have been scaled up on site, with strong emphasis on safety, quality control and environmental protection.

He added that the road, when completed, will play a key role in easing port congestion and unlocking significant economic benefits for Lagos and the country.

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has praised China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for its exceptional expertise and professionalism in reconstructing and expanding the Maraba-Keffi Road. During a visit to the project site over the weekend, Umahi commended the quality and timely progress of the completed sections, noting that CHEC has set a high standard for other contractors to follow.

Umahi advised the CHEC team to maintain the high standards and strict compliance that have characterized their work so far, particularly now that the project has entered its critical and final phase. He emphasized the importance of enhancing safety management and quality control to ensure the project’s successful completion.

The minister stated that although the contract completion date is June 2026, given the project’s importance to public transportation, he hopes CHEC will optimize its construction plan and resource allocation to strive for the overall handover by the end of February 2026, enabling the road to be fully open to traffic, thereby promoting regional socio-economic development and improving the convenience of public life.

Umahi assured CHEC that all funding issues would be resolved and the Federal Ministry of Works would expedite procedures to promptly settle all approved Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs). He also committed to ensuring that the contractor receives full project payment in a timely manner upon completion, securing the smooth conclusion of the project.

The Minister’s visit was aimed at assessing the project’s progress and urging CHEC to maintain its high standards and pace to deliver a quality road infrastructure that meets the needs of the people.