The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo state police command, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, on Friday confirmed the abduction of a traditional ruler and three others on Thursday by suspected terrorists.
The victims were abducted by gunmen at Agopanu axis, Owo-Ikare road, in Ondo State.
Those kidnapped include a traditional head, the Oniku of Iku, High Chief Mukaila Bello, a former House of Assembly Candidate for Akoko North-East Constituency Yèyé Gbafinro, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Adeniran Adeyemo and a community leader, Bashiru Adekile.
The Police Spokesperson who said the incident occured on Thursday evening added that the local hunters and vigilante were already combing the forest to rescue the victims.
“The police received 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, 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 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, local hunters, and vigilante in the area are combing the bush to rescue the victims and arrest the assailants.” She said.
The victims were returning from Akure to Ikare when they were kidnapped by the bandits on Thursday evening.