Three travellers were abducted by gunmen on Saturday evening in Emure, Ekiti State, while another was killed, according to reports gathered on Sunday.
According to The PUNCH, the attack took place around 5:30 PM near Oyimo River, along the Emure-Eporo road.
The victim, identified as Taiwo Oluwole, was shot dead while travelling with his wife and two other occupants in a Toyota Camry. His wife and the two others were subsequently kidnapped.
A security source, speaking anonymously, detailed the incident, stating, “The vehicle was ambushed, and Taiwo Oluwole was hit by a bullet while driving.
He died instantly. His wife and the other two passengers were taken into the forest by the kidnappers.”
This marks the third abduction incident in the same area this year. In January, students from Apostolic Faith Children School were kidnapped at the same spot, and on July 13, Atinuke, the wife of a retiree, Albert Adanikin, was also taken.
A local resident named Akin confirmed the latest kidnapping, stating, “The kidnappers have not contacted the victim’s family yet. The ambush happened when Taiwo was returning to Akure after a family event. They were attacked with heavy gunfire from the bush, and the vehicle was riddled with bullets.”
Emure Local Government Chairman, Tosin Adedayo, confirmed the abduction and noted that a joint security team, including soldiers and policemen, had been deployed to pursue the kidnappers.
“We have been actively involved in the rescue mission. The security forces have been on the trail of the kidnappers since the incident,” Adedayo said. “We are hopeful that our people will be rescued soon.”
As of the time of reporting, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, had not responded to requests for comments. Emure, the site of the attack, is located near the border with Supare, a community in Ondo State.
