Gunmen on Saturday kidnapped three travellers in Emure, Ekiti State.
The gunmen also killed Taiwo Oluwole, the husband of one of the captives.
According to security sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the incident occurred around 5:30 PM near the Oyimo River, along Emure-Supare Road in Emure.
Some pupils of Apostolic Faith Children School were abducted at the same spot in January.
Mrs. Atinuke, wife of a retiree, Albert Adanikin, was also abducted on July 13 this year in the same area.
Sources disclosed that Oluwole and his wife were returning to Akure after attending a family event in Emure when their vehicle, a Toyota Camry, was ambushed by the gunmen.
Oluwole was killed by the bullet, and his wife, along with two other occupants of the car, were subsequently kidnapped.
One source reported, “Taiwo Oluwole was killed, while his wife and two others were taken into captivity inside the bush. He was shot while the vehicle was in motion and died instantly. His corpse has been deposited at the Emure Ekiti General Hospital.”
A local of Emure, named Akin, corroborated the occurrence, claiming that the gunmen had not yet contacted the victim’s family at the time of reporting this story.
He said, “The late Taiwo was returning to Akure after attending a family event in the town. He was driving his Toyota Camry when they came under heavy gunfire from the bush, killing him instantly.
“The kidnappers then took the family through the forest in the Eporo area of the town. We have not been able to speak to them, and the kidnappers have not contacted the family yet.”
Tosin Adedayo, the Chairman of Emure Local Government, confirmed the incident and stated that a joint security team had been pursuing the kidnappers since the report was made.
Adedayo said, “I am aware and have been actively involved in the rescue mission to free our people. Soldiers, policemen, and others who went after the kidnappers have not returned since yesterday. We are confident that our people will be freed.”
At the time of filing this report, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, had yet to comment on the incident.
