Seven passengers travelling from Abuja to Offa were abducted on Saturday evening when gunmen ambushed a Toyota Sienna along the Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The vehicle, operated by Olumoh Express, was en route to Offa when it was intercepted between 5 pm and 6 pm by armed men, suspected to be kidnappers. Reports confirm that the assailants abducted all adult occupants, including the driver, but spared three children travelling with their parents.
The oldest of the rescued children later made her way to the company’s office in Offa to report the incident, prompting immediate notification of law enforcement authorities. Initial rescue efforts by local vigilantes were unsuccessful.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Sunday, spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, revealed that eight armed hoodlums carried out the attack. “The Sienna bus, with registration number FFA 50XD, was heading to Offa from Abuja when it was forcefully intercepted. Seven occupants, including the driver, were abducted,” she said.
She added that swift action by police operatives and local vigilantes led to the recovery of the vehicle and the safe rescue of the three abandoned children, aged between two and twelve. “One of the children was able to give detailed information about her guardian, enabling police to facilitate a reunion with their relatives,” the statement noted.
Mukaila Ogunlade, secretary of Olumoh Express, confirmed the development, saying, “The incident truly happened. In fact, we are just returning from Osi Police Station. The bus left with five passengers initially, but the oldest child who returned told us two more joined along the way. Right now, seven people are missing.”
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, assured the public that the command is deploying every available resource to track down the perpetrators. “We are intensifying efforts through discreet investigations, intelligence gathering, and sustained bush combing to ensure the victims’ safe return,” he stated, urging the public to report any useful information through official police channels.
