Gunmen Abduct 10+ Travellers on Owo-Ipele-Benin Highway, Ransom Demanded
In a shocking incident on Tuesday, gunmen abducted no fewer than 10 travellers along the Owo-Ipele-Benin highway in Ondo State, leaving families in distress. The victims, originally from the South-South region, were heading towards Akure when their vehicle was ambushed by the kidnappers. Authorities are now racing against time to secure their release.
The commercial vehicle, abandoned on the roadside by the attackers, prompted alarm among passing drivers. Sources close to the incident revealed that the gunmen forced the passengers out and marched them into the nearby forest. “The gunmen ambushed the vehicle and took everyone into the bush. There has been no contact since then,” one insider told Vanguard.
The Ondo State Police Command, led by spokesperson Funmi Odunlami, confirmed that seven individuals were abducted, not 10 as initially reported. She stated that security forces were immediately dispatched to the scene, combing the area for potential rescue operations.
Police in Action: Search for Victims Underway
“Once we received news of the attack, police operatives swiftly responded, and a search-and-rescue operation is now in progress,” Odunlami confirmed. Despite the rapid response, no trace of the victims has yet been found.
Kidnappers Demand Ransom, Threaten Harm to Victims
Sources close to the victims’ families say the kidnappers have since made contact, demanding a ransom for the hostages’ safe return. In a chilling warning, they threatened to harm the captives unless their demands are met quickly.
Nigerian Bar Association’s Meeting Scheduled Amid Security Concerns
Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is set to hold its highly anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Akure from February 5th to 7th, 2025. The timing of the event, amid rising security concerns, has drawn attention from various quarters.
As the search for the victims intensifies, the Ondo State government and law enforcement agencies are under pressure to address the escalating threat posed by these criminals on the state’s highways.
