Wife of the Olukoro of Koro kingdom in Ekiti local government area of Kwara state, the retired Army General turned monarch, the late Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, who was gruesomely murdered in his palace last Thursday, and one other victim were rescued from the thick forest between Ekiti and Kwara state on Monday. At the same time, 13 suspects have also been arrested.

According to the press statement issued by the Spokesperson of Kwara State Police Command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, on Tuesday morning, the rescued victims are hale and hearty and have been reunited with their families, while the suspects are with the police, undergoing vigorous interrogations to arrest other members of the gang.

The police spokesperson also said in the statement that the rescue operation was a success as a result of the combined efforts of the DSS, the military, police, and the local hunters.

It was further noted that the success was also possible with the use of a helicopter released on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which was used to comb the thick forest between Ekiti and Kwara state.

It stated that the helicopter used by the military was able to locate the suspects and the victims in the thick forest, following which they were arrested on Monday.

The press statement titled “Olukoro of Koro’s widow regains freedom with one other as police arrest Thirteen suspects” reads: “Kwara State Police Command wishes to update the good people of Kwara State on the case of the assassination of the Olukoro of Koro Kingdom—late Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, who was gruesomely murdered in his palace on February 1, 2024.

“In the course of investigation, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egebetokun, PhD, NPM, approved the deployment of a police chopper for aerial surveillance. This is to help comb the forest/boundary between Kwara and Ekiti State.

“A joint operation comprising the police, military, DSS, and vigilante/hunters who tirelessly combed the forest yielded positive results.

“This operation led to the successful rescue of the wife to the late monarch and one other at about 22:3 hours of 05/02/24. The rescued kidnap victims have been reunited with their families, hale and hearty.

“The operation also led to the arrest of 13 male suspects who are presently in custody.

“These suspects are undergoing vigorous interrogation with a view towards aiding the arrest of members of the gang at large.

“Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police, CP Victor Olaiya, psc+, remains resolute, maintaining his stand that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will face the full wrath of the law.

“He further urges the public to be calm and security-conscious as they go about their daily activities without fear or anxiety.”