By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
FOUR travellers returning from Kogi State enroute Irele-Ekiti, Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti State to Ibadan, have been reportedly abducted by gunmen.
The victims were reportedly abducted after attending an event in Kogi State last weekend at about 11:00 a.m on Sunday.
Stonix News learnt that the gunmen were about seven who waylaid the travellers on the road between Irele-Ekiti and OkeAko and whisked them into the forest.
”The four persons kidnapped were coming from an event in Kogi and returning to Ibadan when they were attacked along the Irele-Ekiti and OkeAko road.
“We have not heard anything from the gunmen since yesterday (Sunday) and we are hoping they will get in touch with their families possibly for ransom,”sources told journalists on Monday.
Speaking, a community leader in Irele-Ekiti, Chief Kehinde Abejide who confirmed the abduction, lamented the incessant attacks by gunmen in the area, calling on the government to beef up security in the axis.
Abejide, who is the Akogun of Ikere-Ekiti, urged the new governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji, to impress it on the military authority to provide an army outpost to safeguard the area against the rampaging gunmen.
“We have been crying and pleading with the government to help us in this area but it appears nothing is happening to look at the recurring incidents in the communities.
“Even though we made local arrangements here relating to security, it can never be enough to confront these people.
“These four people were going to Ibadan and they were attacked and kidnapped on Sunday morning and we have not heard anything since they were taken into the forest.
“Let me call on the governor of Ekiti to do something urgently on the issue of security before our people will be wiped out in the entire communities in Ajoni LCDA.
“There is a need for a military post between Irele and OkeAko which will help to forestall any possible attack by this gunmen because it appears they are taking advantage of the poor security arrangements here,” he noted.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the Amotekun corps commander, Brigadier General Joe Komolafe (retd), who confirmed the incident, said “operatives of the corps are combing the forest in the area towards rescuing the victims.”
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