Gunmen Abduct 25 Christian Worshippers In Ondo, Eight Escape

No fewer than 25 choir members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Igan, Akure, Ondo State capital, have been abducted.
The victims, who were said to be choristers of the church, were reportedly attacked and kidnapped on the Benin-Akure Expressway, around the Ifon area in Ose Local Government Area of the State.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the abduction yesterday, saying the Christian worshippers were travelling for a burial programme at Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of the State when they were abducted by unknown gunmen.
Police Spokesperson in the state, SP Olufunmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the abduction in a statement, yesterday, said the worshippers were kidnapped on Friday afternoon.
“Yesterday afternoon, the police were informed that a church bus with the inscription CAC was abandoned around Elegbeka area and there are suspicions that the passengers in the vehicle were kidnapped.
“The Police Anti-kidnapping squad and other tactical teams have been deployed to the area to rescue the victims and arrest all involved in the crime,” Odunlami-Omisanya said.
A family member of one of the abductees who pleaded anonymity said that the worshippers were kidnapped at Elegbeka after Ifon in Ose council area while travelling for a burial ceremony.
“The vehicle conveying the kidnapped members who are choir members was seen abandoned by the roadside,” the woman said.
The Tide learnt that Owo-Ifon has been a nightmare for motorists due to incessant cases of kidnapping and armed robbery on the route.
However, barely 20 hours after their abduction, the Ondo State Police Command yesterday said it had rescued eight out of 25 abductees.