An elderly man from Komu community in Oyo State has appealed to authorities to release a group of hunters who were arrested while allegedly trying to assist in a rescue operation following a recent kidnapping incident in the area.
According to him, local hunters and vigilantes mobilised after some residents were kidnapped and pursued the abductors into the bush in an effort to rescue the victims.
He claimed that during the operation, the hunters became concerned that they were running low on ammunition after exchanging gunfire with the kidnappers. As a result, one of them reportedly returned to an area with network coverage to inform the community and request additional ammunition.
The man said some hunters were then sent on motorcycles to deliver the ammunition to those involved in the rescue mission. However, they were allegedly intercepted and arrested by police officers along the way.
According to him, while the rescue operation was ongoing, the hunters successfully recovered the kidnapped victims and returned to the community, where residents celebrated their arrival.
He said it was only later that they discovered missed calls regarding the arrested hunters. When community members returned the calls, they were informed that the men had been detained and subsequently transferred to Ibadan.
Appealing to the police and government authorities, the elderly man urged them to carry out a thorough investigation.
He said that if the arrested men are found to be innocent and were genuinely acting in support of the rescue effort, they should be released.
According to him, punishing people who respond to emergencies could discourage others from coming to the aid of their communities during future security threats.
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