Three Kidnapped As Bandits Engage Soldiers In Gun Duel In Ekiti

Some unknown gunmen reportedly ambushed commuters along Ayebode – Ilasa road in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Thursday (yesterday).

Two people who attempted to escape from a vehicle captured by the assailants were reportedly hit by bullets and hence, sustained degrees of wounds on their legs.

Ezenwoko’s Blog learnt that others who escaped the horrible event swiftly alerted men of the Nigerian Army who also responded immediately. The incident, according to reports, happened around 10:00 am, leading to desertion of the Ayedun-Ilasa-Ayebode highway for several hours due to fear of attack.

According to Daily Post, an eyewitness who was also a victim of the incident confirmed that the soldiers engaged the bandits at two different locations; Ayebode and Ilasa, pursued them into the bush to ensure that their operations were foiled.

Despite the fire exchange and pressure, soldiers could not apprehend any of the bandits who reportedly escaped with three victims.

“It was sporadic shootings as the soldiers engaged the kidnappers. The soldiers acted gallantly, but the kidnappers escaped through a secondary school in Ilasa into the bush. But another gang resurfaced between Ayedun-Ilasa road and kidnapped three persons,” the source is quoted saying.

He added: “A driver carrying some passengers who wanted to escape by force had his car shot and two persons sustained fractures in their legs.

“Many people could have been kidnapped if not for the quick intervention of the soldiers, but three were taken away”.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident, noting that four persons were abducted during the operation, against the three confirmed to newsmen by one of the victims.

Abutu stated that the combined forces of the military men and the police rescued six men from the gunmen.

“The information we heard was that four persons were abducted. But the security men responded swiftly to the situation and rescued six. We have begun an investigation and we will try and ensure that the abductees are brought back safe and sound”, he said.