Hostage dies, Lagos PDP chairman remains in captivity as police engage kidnappers in gun battle

The Ogun State Police Command has disclosed that a 37-year-old woman, Bilikisu Kazeem, died during a gun battle between operatives and kidnappers on Friday.

The incident occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to the Command, nine hostages were rescued from the kidnappers during the encounter.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Command, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement she made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday.

It will be recalled that kidnappers, on Friday, abducted some travellers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Philip Aivoji.

According to Odutola, the intervention of the police led to the release of nine out of ten hostages, as only the PDP chairman remained 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 remains was 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 noted that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations has mobilised tactical commanders on joint operations with other security agencies to ensure that the PDP chairman is rescued unhurt.