The Ogun State Police Command has disclosed the demise of 37-year-old Bilikisu Kazeem during a gun battle between operatives and kidnappers on Friday.
The incident took place on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to the Command, nine hostages were rescued from the kidnappers during the encounter.
Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, disclosed this information in a statement issued to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday.
It will be recalled that on Friday, kidnappers abducted some travelers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including Philip Aivoji, the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Odutola, the police intervention led to the release of nine out of ten hostages, with only the PDP chairman remaining in captivity.
Odutola said, “A White Mazda Bus registered as LSR 288 XE was slightly damaged, while Eunice Afolake Osalusi “f”, Erinfolami Samuel “m”, Obafemi Da Altantra “m” and Adeyinka Mathew sustained non-life threatening bullet injuries in their escape attempts. They are recuperating and stable in hospital
“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem “f” aged 37 years, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. Her remainsweres immediately collected by her relatives who were conveying her to the hospital, declining any autopsy examination from the police.”
She further listed exhibits recovered from the scene to include “one AK47 Magazine containing 28 live ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums”, handsets and a car key
The police publicist said that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations has mobilized tactical commanders for joint operations with other security agencies to ensure the PDP chairman’s rescue without harm.
Kanyi Daily recalls that the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Aivoji, and his Deputy, Tai Benedict had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.