By Bamike Folorunsho
Armed men ambushed a Toyota Sienna vehicle along the Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Saturday, abducting seven passengers who were on their way from Abuja to Offa.
Sources revealed that the kidnappers let three children go, even though they were traveling with their parents who were among those taken. It was the oldest of the children who later alerted the management of Olumoh Express, the transport company operating the bus, about the incident.
The abduction reportedly occurred between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Despite efforts by local vigilantes, no success has been recorded in rescuing the victims so far.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, stated in a release on Sunday that eight armed men were involved in the ambush. The Sienna bus, with registration number FFA 50XD, was intercepted en route to Offa, and all seven occupants, including the driver, were forcefully taken.
According to the transport company’s secretary, Mr. Mukaila Ogunlade, the bus initially departed with five passengers, but the child who reported the abduction mentioned that two more people joined along the way, bringing the total to seven missing persons.
Police operatives, working with local vigilantes, quickly responded to the scene and recovered the abandoned vehicle. During a thorough search of the surrounding forest, the three children—aged between two and twelve—were found and safely rescued. One of them provided enough information for authorities to contact their guardian, and the children have since been reunited with their family.
The police command has intensified its investigation and is actively combing the area in pursuit of the kidnappers. Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has reassured the public of the command’s dedication to ensuring the safety of all residents and encouraged anyone with relevant information to reach out through official police channels.
