Gunmen abduct all passengers in 18-seater bus in Ibarapa

Gunmen have reportedly hijacked and abducted passengers in an 18-seater vehicle along the Igboora/Ewura road in Ibarapa area of Oyo state.

The incident which occurred on Thursday morning has heightened security concerns in the area.

One mister Oladiran Oladikun confirmed the abduction by some gunmen who laid ambush on the bus which was coming from Abeokuta.

According to a publication cited on Vanguard, the gunmen had demanded a ransom of ten million from the families of the abducted.

The source said: “Yes! The 18 people were kidnapped this morning. Seven persons yesterday, 18 today.”

Another source noted that the kidnappers have continued to terrorise the entire state despite the heavy security presence.

He confirmed that seven people were also kidnapped around 5.pm on Wednesday.

“The rate of kidnappings in Ibarapa in the last few weeks have become worrisome. Yesterday at 5.00pm, seven persons who were on their way to Eruwa had their vehicle stopped on the bridge and were whisked away into the kidnapper’s vehicle. This has taken a new dimension. I am greatly disturbed.”

“The police are back on the road extorting money from drivers. With their presence, nothing has changed. Should we say their presence has brought the resurgence of kidnappings in the region?

“They were busy extorting money which is very important to them, while kidnappers are free to do their nefarious act. God dey.”

“Two weeks ago, two students were kidnapped. The parents paid 1.2M before their release. The commercial vehicle conveying the students was stopped midway. The poor state of the road has added injury to the scenario. Where do we go from here?”

Efforts to get reactions from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Adewale Osifeso, have proven abortive.

When the Amotekun Commander was called upong with regards to the abduction, he refused to comment on the pressing matter.

“We are not authorised to speak on such issues, we are not the Police. Go and confirm from the Police to get reaction. Anything the Police say is authentic. This is Amotekun and not the Police,” he said.