Eight of the 25 people who were abducted by gunmen in the Elegbeka area along the Owo/Ifon route in Ondo State have been reportedly rescued by the police anti-kidnapping squad and other tactical units in Ondo State Command.
According to reports, the victims were CAC parishioners from One Igan parish in Akure, the state capital, who were enroute to Ifon in Ose Local Government Area on Friday for a social event.
The bus in which they were riding was left on the side of the road in the Elegbeka section of the axis after they were allegedly abducted by unidentified gunmen.
Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, a Superintendent of Police (SP), the state command’s spokeswoman, said: “Yesterday afternoon (Friday), the police were informed that a church bus with the inscription CAC was abandoned around the Elegbeka area, and there are suspicions that the passengers in the vehicle were kidnapped.
“The Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams have been deployed to the area to rescue the victims and arrest all involved in the crime.”
The eight believers’ rescue was also confirmed by Adetunji Adeleye, the state’s Amotekun commander, during a Saturday press conference in Akure.
The victims were kidnapped, according to Mr. Adeleye, as they were traveling to a funeral ceremony in the state’s Ifon Ose Local Council Area.
Mr. Adeleye revealed that his troops, along with police, army, and other security personnel, have already entered the bush to free further hostages.