Gunmen abduct six travellers in Kwara

Ilorin, Kwara State – At least seven passengers were abducted on Saturday evening along the Obbo-Ayegunle Road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, while traveling from Abuja to Offa in a commercial Sienna vehicle.

According to reports received from Ilorin, three children among the victims were later released by the abductors, whose identities remain unknown.

The incident occurred between 5:00 and 6:00 pm, when the Olumoh Express vehicle, registered FFA 50XD, was intercepted by about eight armed men believed to be operating in the dense forested area surrounding the route.

Police Confirm Incident, Begin Operations
Spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the abduction and said security operatives have launched a full-scale operation to locate and rescue the remaining victims.

“Armed hoodlums numbering about eight reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants including the driver,” the police spokesperson said.

She added that following a distress call, police operatives, working in collaboration with local vigilantes, quickly moved to the scene and recovered the abandoned vehicle.

Children Rescued, Reunited with Families
During a coordinated search of the nearby bush, three children, aged between two and 12 years, were found and safely rescued. One of the children reportedly provided police with vital information that led to the successful location of their relatives.

“The three rescued children have now been reunited with their family members,” Ejire-Adeyemi added.

Search for Kidnappers Intensifies
The police have intensified efforts through discreet investigations, intelligence gathering, and bush combing operations to track down the kidnappers and rescue the remaining victims.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity or provide useful information via the established communication channels of the police.

The Obbo-Ayegunle axis, located near the borders of Kwara and Ekiti States, has seen a rise in kidnapping incidents in recent months, raising concerns over the security of travelers in the region.