Seven passengers traveling on the Owo-Benin highway in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Saturday. The victims were reportedly traveling from Akwa Ibom to Akure when their commercial bus was attacked by armed assailants, who marched them into a nearby forest.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers initially appeared to be security personnel, prompting the driver to slow down. However, the situation quickly escalated as the gunmen began shooting sporadically into the air.
“They were kidnapped on the Owo-Ipele road around midnight,” a source revealed. “The gunmen ambushed the vehicle and whisked all the passengers into the bush.”
While initial reports indicated that 10 passengers were abducted, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, clarified that seven people were taken. “The police received information that a vehicle was attacked along the Owo/Ifon road, and seven people were suspected to have been abducted,” she said.
Odunlami assured the public that law enforcement officers have launched a search-and-rescue operation to recover the victims and apprehend the perpetrators. “Our men are already making efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the attack,” she added.
The Owo-Benin highway has witnessed similar incidents in the past, raising concerns about the security of travelers in the area. Authorities are calling for increased security measures to protect commuters and prevent future attacks. Meanwhile, the families of the abducted passengers are anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
The police have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation.
