GUNMEN suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday went on a rampage in Ondo state, injured and abducted at least five people at various locations along the Akure/Owo and Owo / Ikare Akoko expressway.
The kidnapping incident which happened barely a week after four people including three members of staff of Federal Medical Center and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, were abducted.
It was gathered that three people including a couple were abducted along Oba Akoko area when returning to Akure from a burial ceremony.
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According to a source, who stated that the couple, Mr. Bunmi Falodun and his wife attended a social function in Ikare and were returning home with a relative when the ugly incident happened.
He said the number of people in the vehicle might be more than three but said: “I can confirm to you that the couple was in the car with one of their relatives.”
He said some other people who attended the ceremony found the couple’s vehicle along the road with the doors opened with their personal effects but not around the area.
He disclosed that the kidnappers had not contacted the family of the abducted victims or demanded ransom.
In another development, another lecturer of the Marketing department of RUGIPO, Mr. Micheal Olopete, was abducted around Owo/Ipele road, by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers
Olopete, a member of the Deeper Life Church was said to be coming from a retreat when the armed hoodlums stopped his vehicle and dragged him out of his vehicle into the bush.
A source close to the victim explained that the kidnappers had demanded the sum of N30m as ransom for the release of the lecturer.
He said the kidnappers contacted the church, requesting the ransom and payment for the release of Olopete but said there was no further information on the whereabout of the victims.
Similarly, unspecified number of people, including school children were also abducted at Ilu abo in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday evening by the kidnappers operating on the road.
According to an eye witness, many people escaped being kidnapped along Ogbese/Iluabo junction along Akure/Owo road during the incident which occurred around 5:20 pm on Saturday evening.
Narrating his ordeal, another lecturer of RUGIPO, Dr. Rahman Abubakar, who escaped being kidnapped explained that the gunmen started shooting sporadically to scare travelers and motorists on the ever busy expressway.
Abubakar said, “ these men invaded the road around 5:20 pm and started shooting to stop movement of vehicles on the road and attacking and picking people from their vehicles.
“I saw the Fulani men shooting sporadically from a distance. I abandoned my car and ran into the bush for safety but I can see from where I was hiding the hoodlums taking some kids away by the kidnappers.”
The lecturer who expressed worries over the spate of kidnapping and insecurity in the state noting the upsurge in kidnapping cases must be tackled by the security operatives in the state and government at all levels.
He said “almost same time, a lecturer of the Department of Marketing, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo was kidnapped by these same Fulani herdsmen between Ipele and Owo Road.
Another kidnapping took place at Oba Akoko where three people fell victim and were taken away into the bush. One of our staff was kidnapped and killed some days ago.
Another victim, Mrs Nike Oyetade, who escaped from the kidnappers den, said kidnappers have turned the forest to detention camps saying many students had been kidnapped by the hoodlums.
Speaking on the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said men of the state police command had been on the trail of the kidnappers.
The PPRO said “we have resolved to increase our manpower on our roads with more patrol to reduce the activities of these criminals to the barest minimum.
“I can assure you that justice will be done and the search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts, to find those responsible and bring them to justice”.
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