Gunmen have kidnapped 18 passengers in Ekiti State, demanding a total ransom of N540 million for their release.
The incident occurred in Emure Ile, where the victims were traveling in a commercial bus from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The gunmen ambushed the vehicle on Sunday, forcing the driver, Sunday Emmanuel, along with the passengers, into the bush.
A worker from the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) confirmed the incident, revealing that the kidnappers made contact with Emmanuel’s family, demanding N30 million for each of the passengers’ release.
According to the source, the kidnappers left behind several children who were in the bus, and their cries attracted attention from passersby early the next morning, prompting them to report the situation to the police.
The source added, “They drove the bus into the bush, pulled the people out, and called the driver’s family, asking for a ransom of N30 million for each of the passengers. They said they would call again, but they haven’t yet.”
The kidnappers abandoned some children on the bus, which eventually led to their discovery by locals who informed the police in Emure-Owo.
Meanwhile, the driver’s union in Ado-Ekiti has convened a meeting to discuss how to negotiate with the abductors.
Two of the kidnapped victims managed to escape while being forced into the bush.
Attempts to reach the Ekiti State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, went unanswered.
