On Saturday, armed assailants ambushed a Toyota Sienna van transporting passengers along the Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The attack resulted in the abduction of seven individuals traveling from Abuja to Offa.
According to reports obtained by Drivetvnews, the kidnappers spared three children who were journeying with their now-abducted parents. It was the oldest among the children who later reported the incident to the management of Olumoh Express, the transport company operating the vehicle.
The ambush reportedly took place between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Despite efforts by local vigilante groups to secure the release of the victims, their attempts have not been successful.
In a statement released on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer Toun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incident. She stated that approximately eight armed men intercepted the vehicle, registered FFA 50XD, and forcibly took seven occupants, including the driver.
The secretary of Olumoh Express, Mukaila Ogunlade, also verified the development. “Yes, the incident happened. We just returned from the Osi Police Station. The vehicle left the park with five passengers, but according to the oldest child who was spared, two more individuals boarded along the way. We are now searching for seven people,” he explained.
Police operatives, in collaboration with local security volunteers, swiftly responded to the scene and recovered the vehicle. During a thorough search of the nearby forest, the three children—aged between two and 12—were found and rescued unharmed.
One of the children provided the authorities with contact information for a guardian, enabling the police to reunite the children with their family members.
The state police command stated that efforts have been intensified through ongoing investigations, intelligence operations, and continued bush combing to locate the abductors and safely rescue the remaining victims.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, reaffirmed the command’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property and encouraged anyone with relevant information to reach out through official channels.
