Gunmen have struck again in Ondo State, kidnapping several travellers in the Irun Akoko area along the Irun/Imesi Ekiti Road in Akoko North-West Local Government Area. The attack occurred on Saturday around 6 p.m. when the victims were travelling in an 18-passenger bus. The assailants stopped the bus and dragged the passengers into the nearby forest, taking them to an unknown location.
The exact number of kidnapped victims remains unclear, but it has been confirmed that they were passengers on the commercial bus. Security operatives, including the police, soldiers, and members of the Amotekun Corps from both Ondo and Ekiti states, along with local vigilantes, are currently conducting a search operation in the forest to rescue the victims.
This incident has added to the growing concern about security in Nigeria. The attack happened on the same day that Chief Bola Tinubu commissioned 34-year-old Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos to mark his one-year anniversary in office. While Tinubu celebrated in Lagos, the residents of Ondo were dealing with the aftermath of this violent attack.
Adetunji Adeleye, the state commander of the Amotekun Corps, confirmed the incident and assured that efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped travellers. He noted that not all 18 passengers were taken, as some managed to escape during the attack.
“My men and soldiers from Ekiti are combing the forest, but the hoodlums did not kidnap the whole 18 passengers in the bus,” Adeleye said. “Some of the passengers escaped themselves, while our men, with soldiers, recovered some of the victims in the night. Our men have combed the forest as we speak.”
Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police. The collaboration between various security agencies and local vigilantes highlights the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to ensuring the safety of the residents.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
