Abductors of funeral guests in Ondo demand N10 million ransom

No less than eleven persons returning from a burial at Ewato in Esan LGA of Edo were abducted at the weekend by suspected bandits.

Tosin Ajuwon • September 5, 2022

Bandits

Following the abduction of funeral guests in Ondo at the weekend, their abductors have demanded ransom from their family members, Peoples Gazette can report.

No less than eleven persons returning from a burial event at Ewato in Esan LGA of Edo were abducted at the weekend by suspected armed bandits.

Peoples Gazette gathered that the four gunmen launched the attack on the victims at a spot in Ose LGA of Ondo.

The bandits were said to have waylaid the funeral guests who were in a Toyota Coaster bus before gaining control and marching them into the forest.

The Police had in a statement confirmed the abduction, vowing to go after the perpetrators.

The Gazette gathered that the abducted victims are members of the Video and Photography Association in Ondo, who had travelled in a hired vehicle to attend the funeral.

Speaking, Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Oladele-Olateju, confirmed that the kidnappers have reached out to the families of the victims.

Mrs Oladele-Olateju said that the kidnappers are demanding ransom ranging between 3 million to 10 million naira from the victims family members.

“Today, the kidnappers have made contact with the families of the victims and they are demanding a ransom between 3 million to 10 million,” She told journalists at a press briefing on Monday evening.

The commissioner also revealed how the bus, a 32-seater hired from Rufus Giwa polytechnic Owo, was attacked by kidnappers.

According to her, out of the 11 victims that were abducted, two of them escaped in the process of moving them into the forest.

“The vehicle was ransacked while they were disposed of their valuables as the assailants shot into the air, scaring them.

“While they were marching them into the bush, two of the abductors escaped.”

She, however, hinted that the Amotekun Corps are already working with the police, the Army and the State Security Service to rescue the victims from the kidnappers.

“Investigation into this abduction continues, we commend the gallantry of the Amotekun Corps,” Mrs Oladele-Olateju added.

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