Two abductees have escaped from a kidnappers’ hideout in a forested area of Ifelodun Local Government Area after a violent internal clash among members of the criminal gang created an opportunity for their escape, security and local sources have confirmed.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, reportedly threw the camp into disarray after a dispute among the armed kidnappers escalated into a gun battle.
The chaos, said to have been triggered by disagreements over the sharing of ransom proceeds and leadership struggles within the gang, forced members to turn on one another.
Taking advantage of the confusion, the two captives fled the camp and navigated through surrounding forest paths and several rural communities before eventually reaching safety.
Security sources said the escapees moved undetected across villages in Kwara South, with residents later providing confirmation of their movement and eventual rescue.
A security source familiar with the development said the victims escaped when the armed confrontation broke out within the camp.
“Two abductees escaped from the bandits’ den yesterday after an internal clash broke out among the kidnappers. They took advantage of the confusion and fled,” the source said.
“They passed through several communities before they eventually got to safety. Their accounts have been corroborated by local intelligence.”
According to security officials, preliminary information suggests the violent infighting may have stemmed from disputes over ransom distribution, rivalry among commanders, and internal power struggles common within kidnapping networks operating in forest enclaves across Kwara State.
Authorities believe the testimonies of the escaped victims could prove crucial in ongoing efforts to track and dismantle kidnapping syndicates operating in forest belts across Kwara South and adjoining areas.
Security sources added that the escapees are expected to provide intelligence on the location of the camp, number of armed operatives, structure of the hideout, movement patterns of the gang, and logistics used in coordinating abductions.
Meanwhile, the development comes amid continued concerns over rising cases of kidnapping in parts of Kwara South, where residents have repeatedly raised alarm over the activities of armed groups operating from remote forest locations.
Security agencies have continued to encourage residents to report credible intelligence through official channels, stressing that timely information remains critical to ongoing counter-kidnapping operations and efforts to secure communities across the region.
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