Again, bandits on rampage in Ondo, kidnap 18 passengers

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

At least, 18 passengers on board a commercial travelling from Idoani to Akoko, Ondo State were kidnapped by bandits along the Idoani/Ifira road on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred in Akoko Southeast Local Government Area of the state, was confirmed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Isua-Akoko, Hakeem Sadiq.

The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically which made motorists and passengers run into the bush, scampering to safety but some were abducted by the assailants.

According to Sadiq, the incident had been reported to the state command and the anti-kidnapping unit had swung into action while he’s working with other security agencies to rescue the abductees.

A community leader at Ifira-Akoko, Boboye Ojomo blamed the incessant robbery and kidnapping on the road on deplorable condition of federal highway from Orita Ipele to Idoani to Ifira and Isua.

He said the road, which is under construction, had been abandoned by the contractor, calling on the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola to look into their plights.