Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Thursday evening abducted a quarter chief in Ikare-Akoko, in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, High Chief High Mukaila Bello and three other people.
Bello was said to have run into the gunmen, with Adeniran Adeyemo, Mr Bashiru Adekile and Chief Gbafinro, with him.
It was gathered that Bello, who was said to be the head of Iku Quarters in the ancient community, was abducted with three other people in the Ago Yeye area along the Owo-Ikare expressway while returning from Akure to Ikare.
It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle conveying the victims tried to manoeuvre his way out but was shot while trying to escape from the gunmen while the four victims were whisked into the forest.
The driver who was hit in the head was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital and was said to be in stable condition.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
It was also learned that the kidnappers were yet to contact the families of the victims at the time of filing this report.
Confirming the abduction of the four people, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami, said detectives from the command have been combing the forest in the area to ensure the release of the victims alive.
Odunlami explained that “the police received a distress call on Thursday that at about 6:30 pm around Ago Yeye, along Owo/ Ikare road, some gunmen shot at one Toyota Corolla with registration number KAK 818 AE while on the motion.
“The gunmen shot the vehicle and the bullet hit the driver in the head. The vehicle came to a halt, while the other occupants, numbering about four, were whisked into the bush while the driver was abandoned.
“The police have recovered the vehicle while the driver was taken to the hospital. The driver is currently in stable condition.
“The police, local hunters, and vigilantes in the area are combing the bush for the rescue of the victims and arrest of the assailants.”
and then