Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed two bus passengers and abducted several others including members of the National Youth Services Corps (NYSC), during an attack along Ifon/Owo road in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The passengers were travelling from Anambra State to Owo when the vehicle was attacked on Friday night, it was gathered.
Among those abducted were; Adewole Paul Oluwaseun, a corps member who was returning from the NYSC camp, an eyewitness, Oluwaseun Ogunmola, told Daily Trust.
The authorities have confirmed the incident and said they are taking steps to address the situation.
Ogunmola told journalists that some of the passengers were heading for Owo from Anambra State when they were waylaid.
“The corps member was returning from NYSC camp in Enugu when he was kidnapped with others by the bandits. The incident has created tension in the family,” he said.
He further revealed that the bandits had contacted the family of another corps member, demanding a ransom of N30 million.
It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle and a young lady sitting at the front were both hit by the bullets while attempting to escape from the kidnappers.
However, the corpses of the deceased have been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital in Ifon town.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said it was investigating. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, authorities are working to rescue the victims and are currently pursuing leads.
While the spokesperson confirmed the unfortunate deaths of the driver and a passenger, the exact number of individuals taken had yet to be determined.
“The authorities are working diligently to ensure the safe return of those involved.
“We are after them. I can assure you that those kidnapped would be rescued unhurt,” she said
