.Kidnappers demand N30 million for each victim

By Tola Gbadamosi

Men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Rangers Unit, in collaboration with their Ekiti State counterparts, have launched a joint operation to rescue 18 passengers abducted during a night-time ambush along Emure-Ile in the Owo area of Ondo North.

Speaking to The Hope Metro, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said efforts are on to ensure that the kidnapped passengers are released unhurt.

According to him m; “My Ekiti State counterpart and I are working tirelessly to secure the release of the kidnapped victims.

“All hands have been on deck since the incident, and we are committed to ensuring their safe return.”

The commander’s remarks came after gunmen attacked an Ado-Ekiti-bound vehicle, seizing all 18 passengers on board.

An unconfirmed source revealed that two passengers managed to escape during the night before police arrived at the scene to recover the bus.

According to the source, “They drove the bus into the bush and dragged the people inside. They called the family of the driver, and I pleaded to speak with him.

“After our conversation, they demanded a ransom of N30 million. They said they would call back, but we have not heard from them yet.

“They left some children on the bus, and it seems some farmers who saw the kids alerted the police in Emure-Owo.”

The driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti is reportedly holding a meeting to strategise on how to reach out to the kidnappers.

The source also confirmed that two of the kidnapped victims escaped while being led into the bush.

The bus, which was said to be returning from Onitsha, Anambra State, was attacked by the kidnappers in what is described as a brazen night-time operation.

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch, confirmed that the bandits kidnapped the driver, Sunday Emmanuel, alongside other passengers.

“They are demanding a ransom of N30 million each.

It was further reported that the kidnappers abandoned some children in the bus, whose cries attracted the attention of passersby in the early hours of Monday. The incident was subsequently reported to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Vanguard reported that the kidnappers demanded N30 million for each victim to secure their release.

According to the medium, a source at the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch, said the bandits kidnapped the driver, identified as Sunday Emmanuel, alongside other passengers, demanding a ransom of N30 million each.

The source, who craved anonymity, revealed that the kidnappers abandoned some children in the bus, whose cries attracted the attention of passersby in the early hours of yesterday before it was reported to the nearest police station.

The source added that two passengers escaped before police arrived at the scene to recover the bus.
He said: “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 at the farm saw the kids and alerted the police in Emure-Owo,” Vanguard reported.