A 37-year old woman, Bilikisu Kazeem, has been confirmed dead after being hit by a stray bullet during a clash between Nigerian Police and kidnappers of Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Phillip Aivoji, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
It was gathered that all efforts to prevent her death proved abortive as she was said to have died from the bullet wound sustained during the face-off.
Meanwhile, during the clash that lasted several minutes, the law enforcement agency rescued nine of the 10 PDP members abducted from the kidnappers on the highway.
Spokeswoman for Ogun Police Command, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this on Saturday in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a press briefing on efforts made by the law enforcement officers to rescue Aivodji and other PDP leaders from their abductors.
According to Odutola, officers’ intervention had, however, aided the release of nine out of ten victims while only the PDP chairman remained in captivity.
Speaking on casualties recorded, 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 37years, 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.”
The Police Spokeswoman listed exhibits recovered from the scene to include “one AK47 Magazine containing 28 live ammunition believed to belong to the hoodlums, handsets, car key, were handed over to respective owners.”
She added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations had mobilised Tactical Commanders, on joint operations with other security agencies to ensure that the PDP chairman is rescued unhurt.
