Gunmen at the weekend attacked two communities in the south of Kwara and abducted at least 30 people in separate incidents.
The victims, it was gathered, include a pastor and his wife with three other passengers are still being held by the kidnappers who terrorised the communities.
- PODCAST: What to do with Nigeria’s 10 million out of school children
- The Day’s Brief: Commissioner kidnapped, airlines worry, 10m kids out of school
In one incident, the kidnappers intercepted a Sienna Bus with seven passengers along Oke-Onigbin/Omu-Aran high way.
In a second incident, a commercial Toyota Hiace Bus with 21 passengers and the pastor’s car were simultaneously intercepted by gunmen at Ekan-Meje/Ekiti axis both in Kwara South.
The police, Daily Trust learnt, however, rescued four of the seven victims on the Sienna Bus while the abductors escaped with the remaining three passengers.
Also, 20 passengers on the Toyota Hiace commercial bus were also rescued unhurt by the police.
It was gathered that the Sienna Bus which was conveying passengers from Ekiti State was stopped by six gunmen who emerged from the bush along Oke-Onigbin/Omuaran highway and marched the seven of them into the bush.
Similarly, the pastor’s car and the Toyota Hiace commercial bus were simultaneously waylaid by the kidnappers at gunpoint at the Ekan-Meje/Ekiti axis.
As at the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether the abductors have contacted the families for ransom.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the three abductions late Sunday night, said some arrests have been made, adding that Police patrol have been intensified across the state.
He said, “Reports of the three kidnap incidents were received simultaneously by the Kwara State Police Command to the effect that along Oke-Onigbin/Omu-Aran highway and Ekiti/Ekan-Meje axis that six armed men emerged from the bush and stopped a Siena bus in transit from Ekiti state on its way to Ilorin and the seven occupants of the vehicle were marched into the bush.
“The Command promptly dispatched its tactical units comprising the Anti kidnapping and Anti cultists units, joined by local hunters and vigilantes members while police patrols on the routes were alerted.
“The abductors were instantly chased into the bushes, four out of the seven abducted persons were rescued, efforts are still in top gear to get the remaining three rescued.
“Deploying similar tactics by operatives, those abducted in Ekan-Meje/Ekiti axis using the same modus were equally rescued, remaining a pastor and his wife who the Command is frantically doing everything possible to rescue unhurt.
“The police was also able to rescue all the twenty passengers in the Toyota Hiace commercial bus during an attack with the kidnappers. The passengers were rescued unhurt.”
“Some suspects have been arrested and are helping the command in her investigation.
“Situation is under control, the good people of Kwara State are advised to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation and attack.”
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
