In a chilling turn of events, at least ten travellers have been abducted by gunmen along the Owo-Ipele-Benin Highway in Ondo State. The attack, which has sent shockwaves through the region, was confirmed by the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, who stated that seven victims had been officially accounted for, while local sources insist the number is higher.
According to reports from Akure, the Ondo State capital, the victims were returning from a South-South state and heading to Akure when the assailants ambushed them. The gunmen, believed to be heavily armed, intercepted the commercial vehicle, forcibly taking the passengers into the forest while leaving the vehicle abandoned by the roadside. The sight of the empty vehicle triggered panic among other road users, who immediately raised the alarm.
Security operatives have since launched a manhunt to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victims. Odunlami assured the public that the police are actively investigating the incident and will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
Meanwhile, sources close to the families of the kidnapped individuals revealed that the abductors have made contact, demanding an undisclosed sum as ransom for their release. The incident has further fueled growing concerns over the rising spate of kidnappings along Nigeria’s highways, with residents and travellers calling for urgent government intervention to curb the menace.
As anxiety grips the affected families, the nation watches closely, hoping for swift action to ensure the safe return of the abducted travellers.
PIONEER NEWS 