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

A 37-year-old woman, Bilikisu Kazeem, has died following a gun battle between operatives of the Ogun State Police Command and kidnappers on Friday.

This incident happened 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 of the Command, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Recall that some travellers including Philip Aivoji, Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), were kidnapped on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday.

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 the hospital.

“Sadly, one Bilikisu Kazeem “f,” aged 37, gave up the ghost before getting to the hospital. Her remains were immediately collected by her relatives, who were conveying her to the hospital, declining any autopsy examination from the police.”

She also listed exhibits recovered from the scene, including “one AK47 magazine containing 28 live rounds of ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums,” handsets, and a car key.

The PPRO 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.