Police authorities have launched a manhunt for the kidnappers of at least 10 travelers in Ondo State.
The travellers were abducted along the Owo-Benin highway in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were ambushed at the Ipele axis of the highway while travelling from Akwa Ibom to Akure, the Ondo State capital. The assailants, believed to be armed criminals, forced their vehicle to stop and dragged the passengers into the nearby bush.
According to an eyewitness, the driver initially mistook the attackers for security operatives until they began shooting sporadically.
It was also gathered that the kidnappers have contacted the victims’ families, demanding an unspecified ransom and issuing threats to kill the captives if their demands are not met.
The incident occurred just days after gunmen, suspected to be herders, killed five farmers in Ajegunle-Powerline in Akure North Local Government Area. Security agencies are continuing efforts to rescue the kidnapped victims and bring the attackers to justice.
