Eight of the 25 worshippers kidnapped by gunmen from the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke-Igan, Akure, Ondo State capital, have escaped.
Adetunji Adeleye, Commander of the Ondo State Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps, said this while confirming the choir members’ kidnapping.
According to Adeleye, the victims escaped while being forced into the forest by armed men in the state’s Owo/Ose axis.
The remaining victims, on the other hand, are still being held captive, a development that the Amotekun commander said spurred a quick response from the state’s security authorities.
He stated that the Nigerian Army, the Amotekun Corps, and the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit have commenced a coordinated thorough search operation to identify and rescue the kidnapped individuals.
“The primary objective is to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the remaining captives.”
“Eight victims have been rescued,” said a state police official.
“Effort is on to rescue others unhurt. The rescued victims said they are members of CAC Oke Igan, Akure.
“They were on their way to a burial wake. On getting to Ajagbale v
ia Elegbeka on the Ifon/Owo Motorway, they were accosted by five unknown gunmen who shot sporadically and forcefully took them into the bush.”