AFRICA

Eight Rescued as Gunmen Abduct 25 Church Members in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday said it had begun a search for the gunmen who, on Friday, kidnapped no fewer than 25 members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, in Akure, Ondo State.
The state police command added that it had rescued eight out of the 25 kidnapped CAC people.
The victims, said to be members of church’s choir, were reportedly attacked and kidnapped on the Benin-Akure Expressway around Ifon axis in Ose Local Government Area of the state, Friday evening.

They were said to be traveling to Ifon for a burial ceremony while the hoodlums waylaid them and dragged them to the bush to an unknown destination.
A member of the church, who pleaded anonymity, said the vehicle conveying the victims was seen abandoned by the roadside. He said the matter had been reported at the police station.
The spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmi Odunlami-Omisanya, said “The incident happened Friday afternoon, the police were informed that a church bus with the Inscription CAC was abandoned around the Elegbeka area and there are also suspicions that the passengers in the vehicle were kidnapped.
“But we are already on the trail of the kidnappers with the view to rescue the abducted victims. Our men from the Anti-kidnapping squad are combing the bush already.”

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said it had rescued eight out of the 25 people.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Odunlami, confirmed that eight of the victims had been rescued while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
“Good news!, eight victims rescued, effort is on to rescue others unhurt,” she said on a WhatsApp platform.
But speaking on the ugly incident, the Commander, of the state security outfit codenamed Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the escape from their abductors.
Adeleye said that personnel of Police Anti Kidnapping, Amotekun Corps in conjunction with the Nigeria Army are on the kidnapper’s trail in Owo/Ose axis to ensure that remaining victims are released.

David Fidelis in Akure