Tragedy struck in Emure-Ile, Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State, as gunmen ambushed and kidnapped several passengers traveling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ado-Ekiti on Sunday night, the Publisher Nigeria reports.
Among those abducted was the bus driver, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, according to reports from the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ado-Ekiti Motor Terminal branch. The attackers have demanded a ransom of ₦30 million per victim.
In a distressing twist, the gunmen abandoned children who were also traveling on the bus. Their cries attracted the attention of passersby early Monday morning, leading to the incident being reported to the police.
He said: “They drove the bus into the bush and dragged people inside the bush.
“They called the family of the driver and I pleaded to speak with the driver and after our conversation, they demanded a ransom of N30 million. They said they would call back, but they have not done so yet.
“They left some children on the bus, and it seems that some people to the the farm saw the kids and alerted the police in Emure-Owo. The driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti is currently holding a meeting on how to reach out to the kidnappers”, he said.
He added that two of the kidnapped victims escaped while they were being herded into the bush.
Efforts to get the Ekiti police command’s comment was not successful as calls to the telephone line of the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu rang out.
