News Investigators/ An intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) has led to the elimination of three suspected bandits and rescue of nine of their victims during a fierce gun battle in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The victims, it was leant, included farmers seized from their farmlands and others who had earlier been abducted in neighbouring Ekiti State. The operation, which also involved the Kwara State Forest Guards, local hunters and vigilantes, was carried out in the Obbo Aiyegunle, Ejiu Ora and Osi axis of Ekiti LGA bordering Ekiti and Kwara States. One of the rescued victims, Umaru Muazu of Obbo Aiyegunle, recounted their ordeal, saying armed men suddenly emerged and seized him and his son. Another rescued farmer, Ibrahim Danga, said the victims had been held captive before security operatives arrived and engaged the kidnappers.