Happening now, a group of armed gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, has abducted 25 members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, Akure, along the perilous Owo/Ifon/Benin Expressway in Ondo State. The incident unfolded as the church members were en route to a burial ceremony in Ifon.
The brazen attack occurred at approximately 3 pm on Friday near Elegbeka village, sending shockwaves through the community and beyond. A spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the harrowing incident via text message.
It was reported that an empty bus adorned with the distinctive emblem of CAC was discovered abandoned by the roadside near Elegbeka, serving as a chilling reminder of the perilous situation. The victims, comprising men, women, and possibly children, were subjected to a terrifying ordeal as they embarked on their journey.
In response to the distress call, the anti-kidnapping Squad of the Ondo State Police Command has swiftly been deployed to the area with the primary mission of rescuing the abducted church members and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Authorities are actively working to secure the safe release of the victims.
The Owo/Ifon/Benin Expressway has regrettably earned notoriety as a perilous corridor marred by a series of kidnappings and armed robbery incidents in recent times. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the pervasive insecurity that continues to plague the region, leaving its residents living in constant fear.
In a haunting echo of past tragedies on this very route, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, a respected traditional ruler, met a tragic end in November 2020, as he was also ambushed and killed near Elegbeka while traveling from Akure to Ifon.
As investigations into this recent abduction unfold, the people of Ondo State and the entire nation anxiously await the safe return of the abducted church members and a definitive resolution to the security challenges that continue to haunt this vital expressway.
