The Ondo State Police Command on Friday confirmed the abduction of four persons in the state by terrorists and has launched a search for their release.
The terrorists on Thursday kidnapped the victims including a traditional chief in Ikare Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mukaila Bello.
It was gathered that Bello, who was said to be the head of Iku Quarters in the ancient community, was abducted with three others. The other victims are Mr Adeniran Adeyemo, Mr Bashiru Adekile and another person identified only as Chief Gbafinro.
A source noted that the victims were kidnapped along the Ago Panu area of the Owo-Ikare expressway while travelling from Akure to Ikare.
The source said the driver of the car the victims were travelling in escaped but sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
It was also learned that the kidnappers had yet to contact the families of the victims as of the time this report was filed.
The state police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said the police, hunters and vigilantes were combing the forest to rescue the victims.
She said, “The police on receiving a distress call that at about 6:30 pm on Thursday around Ago Yeye, along Owo/Ikare Road, gunmen shot at one Toyota Corolla car, with registration number KAK 818 AE, while on motion, the bullet hit the driver on the head and the vehicle came to a halt. The other occupant numbering about four were whisked away 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 a stable condition while the police, hunters and vigilantes in the area are combing the bush to rescue the victims and arrest the assailants.”
