By Ayomide Otitoju
Emure-Owo, Ondo State – In a harrowing incident on Sunday night, gunmen ambushed an 18-passenger bus en route to Ado-Ekiti, abducting all occupants except a group of children who were left behind. The attack occurred at the outskirts of Emure-Owo as the vehicle returned from Onitsha.
The abductors, identified as kidnappers, seized the driver, Sunday Emmanuel, and other passengers, demanding ₦30 million in ransom per victim.
According to a source from the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ado-Ekiti, the cries of the abandoned children attracted passersby early Monday morning, leading to the incident being reported to local authorities.
Escape and Rescue Efforts
The source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that two passengers managed to escape during the night before police arrived to recover the abandoned bus.
“They drove the bus into the bush and dragged people inside,” the source said. “They called the family of the driver, and I pleaded to speak with him. After our conversation, they demanded ₦30 million. They said they would call back, but we are yet to hear from them.”
The source added, “The children left behind were found by locals working on nearby farms, who then alerted the police in Emure-Owo.”
Union and Police React
The RTEAN branch in Ado-Ekiti has reportedly convened an emergency meeting to strategize on reaching out to the kidnappers and securing the release of the victims.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement confirmed the recovery of the vehicle and have launched a manhunt to rescue the kidnapped passengers.
The incident adds to the rising concerns over security in the region, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
