Seven passengers were abducted when gunmen ambushed a Toyota Sienna passenger car on Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday.
According to information obtained by The Intercept, the suspected kidnappers spared three children who were travelling with their kidnapped parents, and the oldest of the spared children reported the incident to the management of the transport company, Olumoh Express, Offa, that the victims boarded.
The abduction took place between 5 and 6 p.m., and all local vigilante attempts to save the victims proved fruitless.
In a statement released on Sunday and signed by its spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the state police command acknowledged that the seven passengers had been kidnapped.
“The incident truly happened,” stated Mr. Mukaila Ogunlade, the transport company’s secretary, who also attested to the occurrence. In reality, we have just come from Osi Police Station. The oldest of the youngsters left behind informed us that two more persons joined them on the way after the bus departed the park with five passengers. We are now seeking seven individuals.
SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the state police command spokesperson, verified the event.
“Armed hoodlums numbering about eight reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus registered FFA 50xd, heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants, including the driver.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives in collaboration with local vigilantes responded swiftly to the scene.
“The vehicle was recovered to the nearest police formation. During a coordinated search of the surrounding bush, three children aged between two and 12 years were located and safely rescued.
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“One of the children was able to give the police detailed information of her guardian, who was contacted, and the three rescued children have been reunited with their relatives,” the statement added.
The command said it has intensified efforts through discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and sustained bush combing to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, reiterated the commitment of the command to the safety and protection of all residents, urging those with useful information to report through the established channels of the state police command.
