By Olufemi ONI, Ilorin

Two top management staff of the Oke-Ero Local Government Council in Kwara State, Alhaji Musibau Amuda (Director of Personnel Management) and Mrs Omoladun Elizabeth Arinde (Legal Officer), who were kidnapped recently have regained their freedom.

Chairman of the local government council, James Fadipe, who disclosed this in a statement, said the officers returned safely in good health.

It would be recalled that they were kidnapped while traveling from Iloffa in the local government to Ilorin, the state capital last Friday.

The police in the State had confirmed that five armed men blocked the road around Eleyin village via Isanlu-Isin where they stopped two private vehicles and took away all the seven occupants of the vehicles whose identities were not disclosed.

Spokesperson of the police, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said in a statement on Saturday, that while two victims had been rescued, police were still carrying on with operations to rescue the remaining five victims and apprehend the abductors.

The Chairman of the Oke-Ero LGA, in his statement on Monday, did not disclose how the officers were rescued, but thanked the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the leadership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), security operatives, traditional rulers and religious leaders for their efforts in the return of the officers.

The statement reads: “We extend our heartfelt appreciation and sincere gratitude to the Almighty God for His mercy and protection over our dear Director of Personnel Management, Alhaji Musibau Amuda, and the Local Government Legal Officer, Barrister Omoladun Elizabeth Arinde, who have safely returned to us in good health. This is indeed the Lord’s doing, and we are filled with joy and thanksgiving.

“We are deeply grateful to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman CON, and the leadership of ALGON for their steadfast support during this challenging period. We also express our profound thanks to religious leaders, traditional rulers, security operatives, political leaders, party men and women, DPM and LGT forums, and all well-wishers who stood by us in prayer, encouragement, and action.

“May the Almighty God continue to bless you all abundantly. We remain committed to working together for the continued peace, progress, and development of our local government.

“In this moment of joy, we offer prayers for continued protection and success for all. May God grant us peace, unity, and progress as we continue to serve our people.”