There is serious apprehension in Ekiti State following the kidnapping of no fewer than twelve persons within one week in the Ikole Local Government Area of the state.
Last week Thursday, five travelers were kidnapped at Ayebode-Ekiti after the gunmen engaged soldiers in a shootout before whisking the victims into the bush. They were later released on Monday night after their families cough out N10 million ransom.
Also, in Itapaji-Ekiti in the same Ikole council area, gunmen stormed a house in the community on Tuesday night and abducted about eight persons.
The abductors were said to have contacted the family early on Wednesday morning and demanded a sum of N50 million as ransom.
A credible source in the community confided in Tribune Online that the gunmen stormed the house around 9.30 pm, shot sporadically into the air and made away with eight occupants of the building.
These abductions in the last one week have created serious apprehension among residents of the state.
The source said the owner of the building was preparing for his mother’s burial and the preparations were said to have been on top gear with the arrival of relatives from far and near when the gunmen struck.
He said: “The men numbering seven came around 9.30 pm with guns and surrounded the building. They fired gunshots sporadically.
“As the occupants of the house were coming out, they were grabbed and made to lie face down. They were later taken away into the bush; They were 14 initially, but six of them escaped into the bush.”
“And early today (Wednesday), one of the family members received a call from the abductors and demanded a ransom of N50m.”
The source added that the lack of police stations in Itapaji -Ayebode and Irele-Oke Ako axes was responsible for increasing cases of kidnapping in the area, saying the nearest police station is in Ikole Ekiti, which was over 40 minutes drive to the troubled areas.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu confirmed the incident.
Abutu said: “The command is working on that. Already special police operatives, as well as the Joint Task Force (JTF), have been deployed in that axis to ensure they rescue the victims and for possible arrest of the culprits.”
tribuneonlineng.com
