TheCable

A 37-year-old woman identified as Bilikisu Kazeem has died from a bullet wound sustained during a gun battle between the police and kidnappers on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Omolola Odutola, Ogun police spokesperson, confirmed the incident to TheCable on Saturday.

Odutola said the accident happened while police were rescuing hostages abducted from the highway.

On Friday, kidnappers abducted Philip Aivoji, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, and some members of the party along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Odutola said police intervention aided the release of nine out of 10 victims while only the PDP chairman remained in captivity.

“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,” the police spokesperson said in a statement.

“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.”

Odutola added that “one AK47 Magazine containing 28 live ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums” was recovered while “handsets, car key, were handed over to respective owners”.

She added that tactical commanders, alongside other security agencies, have been mobilised to ensure that Aivoji is rescued unhurt.