A total of 25 Christian worshippers travelling for a burial programme have been abducted by suspected gunmen in Ondo State, Peoples Gazette has learnt. 

The worshippers, it was gathered, are members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, in Akure, Ondo, and were travelling for a burial at Ifon Ose LGA of the state. 

A church member, who pleaded for anonymity, told The Gazette on Saturday morning that the worshippers, abducted on Friday, are mostly choir members. 

He states that, “The twenty-five of them (worshippers) were inside the bus travelling through Ifon road when the gunmen stopped their vehicle and marched them inside the bush.” 

Confirming the incident in a statement to reporters, the Ondo police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami-Omisanya, said the kidnapping happened around the Elegbeka area of Ifon on Friday afternoon. 

Mrs Odunlami-Omisanya revealed that the police through its anti-kidnapping squad and other tactical units are now on the trail of the kidnappers with the promise to rescue the worshippers. 

“The incident happened Friday afternoon, the police were informed that a Church bus with the Inscription CAC was abandoned around the Elegbeka area and there are also suspicions that the passengers in the vehicle were kidnapped. 

“But we are already on the trail of the kidnappers with the view to rescue the abducted victims. Our men from the Anti-kidnapping squad are combing the bush already,” she added. 

The roads in Ifon in Ose LGA had been a notorious nightmare for motorists and travellers due to incessant cases of kidnappings on the route. 

A fortnight ago, two businessmen en route Edo State from Ifon were kidnapped, with their abductors later demanding N100 million for their release. 

The two victims were later rescued in a coordinated operation by men of the Amotekun Corps.