By Friday Omosola, Akure
No fewer than thirty-two (32) persons who were returning to Akure, Ondo state after attending a burial ceremony in Benin City, Edo State, have been kidnapped by gunmen along the Benin-Ifon area in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo.
The victims including the driver were kidnapped in a coastal bus on Saturday and whisked by the kidnappers to an unknown destination through a forest.
The Trumpet learned that the victims were travelling with others in two other vehicles before their bus was stopped while the drivers and occupants of the other vehicles fled into the bushes.
A source told The Trumpet that some of the occupants escaped on their way to the kidnappers’ den and many of the victims are still held captive by the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the security operatives in the state said they were on the trail of the kidnappers, noting that they are combing the Benin-Ifon to Owo forest in the state in search with the aim of rescuing the 32 kidnapped persons.
Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye said his men would take all necessary measures to rescue the victims.
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Mr Adeleye said his men and those of other security agencies have been briefed and had since commenced searching for the victims.
Also confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police spokesperson, SP Fumilayo Odunlami, disclosed that police and the Army have begun combing the forest to rescue the victims.
