The police command in Ekiti says it is collaborating with other security agencies to rescue a popular trader Nusirat Saliu.

Ms Saliu was kidnapped on Saturday in Iyemero-Ekiti.

The police spokesman in Ekiti, Sunday Abutu, disclosed this on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti while reacting to the invasion of the community by gunmen on Saturday evening.

“We have begun serious work on the matter. We are working with other security agencies to track down these evildoers,” Mr Abutu said.

An atmosphere of panic was said to have gripped the people of Iyemero-Ekiti in the Ikole local government area on Saturday, as gunmen invaded the community and abducted the popular trader.

Heralded by sporadic gunshots, the attack also witnessed an assault on an unidentified farmer left with severe injuries in the head.

According to a witness, the abduction happened around 8:00 p.m.

The witness said the abductors, numbering five and armed with AK47 rifles, who pretended to be in the community to buy some goods, “later struck and took Mrs Saliu to an unknown destination.”

The witness added, “They waited till nightfall, and suddenly, we heard gunshots that lasted for about five minutes, with this, we knew something was wrong. They followed the woman into her shop, grabbed and dragged her into the forest as they shot indiscriminately to scare the people away.”

Speaking further, he disclosed, “As they were doing this, a farmer who was at the shop was shot. But when they realised the bullets didn’t penetrate the man’s body, they drew out a sharp cutlass and inflicted a deep cut on his head. He is presently recuperating at a private hospital.”

(NAN)