18 Ekiti-bound passengers kidnapped

Kidnappers, on Sunday, ambushed an Ado-Ekiti-bound 18-passenger vehicle at night in Emure Ile and abducted all the passengers in it. Information gathered showed that the bus was returning from Onitsha, Anambra State when the kidnappers attacked it. Speaking on the development, a source at the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, in Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal […]

Kidnappers, on Sunday, ambushed an Ado-Ekiti-bound 18-passenger vehicle at night in Emure Ile and abducted all the passengers in it.

Information gathered showed that the bus was returning from Onitsha, Anambra State when the kidnappers attacked it.

Speaking on the development, a source at the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, in Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch, confirmed that the bandits kidnapped the driver, Sunday Emmanuel, alongside other passengers, demanding a ransom of N30 million each.

The source, who sought anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers abandoned some children in the bus, whose cries attracted the attention of passers-by in the early hours of Monday, before it was reported to the police station.

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The source added that two passengers escaped during the night before police arrived at the scene to recover the bus.

His words, “They drove the bus into the bush and dragged people inside the bush.

“They called the family of the driver and I pleaded to speak with the driver and after our conversation, they demanded a ransom of N30 million. They said they would call back, but they have not done so yet.

“They left some children on the bus, and it seems that some people who were going to the farm saw the kids and alerted the police in Emure-Owo.

“The drivers’ union in Ado-Ekiti is currently holding a spirited  meeting on how to reach out to the kidnappers, while two of the kidnapped victims escaped while they were being herded into the bush.”

Reacting to the development, the PRO, Ekiti State command, DSP Sunday Abutu, said 11 people have regained their freedom while seven are still with the kidnappers.

Abutu added that efforts are underway to ensure that they are rescued.