Gunmen abduct couple days to wedding in Ekiti, demand N5m ransom

Gunmen have abducted a couple in Ekiti east LGA of Ekiti state about a few days to their wedding. 

According to NAN, Sunday Abutu, the state police command spokesman, broke the news in a statement on Monday.

Abutu said the assailants kidnapped the lovebirds on Sunday while returning from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where they were said to have gone to buy items ahead of their wedding.

The police spokesman said three persons have been arrested in connection with incident.

“We learnt that the couple came to Ado Ekiti and were returning to their base when they were picked up by gunmen,” he said.

“Immediately we got the report, the Police Commissioner, Babatunde Mobayo, mobilised our men and officers to the surrounding forests.

“As I speak, our men are working in conjunction with Amotekun corps, local hunters and Vigilance groups, combing the forests to free the victims.’’

Abutu said those arrested had been detained at the police headquarters in Ado-Ekiti and would be arraigned as soon as investigations were concluded.

NAN quoted eyewitnesses as saying the victims were abducted on Ilasa-Ekiti-Ayebode road in Ekiti east LGA.

Family members of the victims also said the abductors had contacted them and demanded five million as ransom to secure their freedom.

One of the eyewitnesses disclosed that the vehicle conveying the would-be couple was attacked at a bad portion of the highway.

“The deplorable condition of our roads seems to be a major factor responsible for these repeated cases of kidnapping,” the source was quoted as saying.