There was a palpable panic as gunmen abducted no fewer than 10 travellers along the Owo-Ipele-Benin Highway in Ondo State.
According to reports, the victims were returning from a South-South state and heading to Akure when the gunmen struck.
Their commercial vehicle was later found abandoned by the roadside, prompting other drivers to raise the alarm.
Confirming the incident, the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, stated that seven persons were kidnapped by the assailants.
Odunlami assured the public that further details would be provided as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the kidnappers have contacted the families of the victims and are demanding ransom for their release.
In another development, operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested 28 crime suspects in various parts of the state.
Among them is a 55-year-old alleged serial rapist, Ayodele Ijidakinro, who had recently completed a three-year jail term for the same crime.
Parading the suspects on Monday at the headquarters of Amotekun Corps in Akure, the Ondo Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that 24 of the suspects were apprehended for various breaches of law and order; one for herders/farmers clashes and three for kidnapping.
He added that three suspected kidnappers; Akpan, Alimi, and Emmanuel; were arrested in Akure, Emure, and Upeme-Owo, respectively.
For those who breached the law, one Adu Ojo, who specialised in ATM fraud was paraded. He is said to have defrauded unsuspecting victims by manipulating ATM to trap victims’ cards, retrieving them with a secret code, and draining their accounts.
Two suspects, Mafo and Asara, were arrested for conspiracy and rape. One suspect, Idris Umaru, was also caught illegally grazing on a farmer’s land and using underage herders.
Also, three of the suspects – Oluwafemi, Francis, and Sunday – were arrested for burglary, while one Lawal was arrested for stealing mobile phones and pumping machines.
Another suspect, Ismaila Kazim, was arrested for attacking commercial motorcyclists, dispossessing them of their motorcycles, and selling them.
Confessing to the crime, the suspected serial rapist who had previously served a three-year sentence for rape and was released in February last year.
He confessed to having raped three ladies, saying his victims are not among the six that came to testify against him.
One of his victims (names withheld) who spoke to journalists during the parade narrated her ordeal.
She noted that he said he was going to procure an agrochemical product she sells.
According to the victims, Ijidakinro carried her on his bike and started running at high speed in the bush which made her jump off the bike to escape but the suspect caught her, overpowered her and raped her.
Adeleye informed that the 28 suspects would undergo final profiling, and those found to be culpable would be charged in court.
