Gunmen kidnap traditional ruler, APC chieftain in Ondo

Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped Mikaila Bello, the Oniku of Iku quarters of Ikare Akoko, Ondo state and three others.

The incident was said to have occurred while the victims were travelling along Ago Panu axis of Owo-Ikare road, Ondo state, on Thursday evening.

The victims were said to have been heading for Akoko area from Akure, the state capital.

Others who were reportedly kidnapped include Yeye Gbafinro, former house of assembly candidate for Akoko north-east constituency; Bashiru Adekile, a community leader, and Adeniran Adeyemo, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Funmi Odunlami, Ondo police spokesperson, said she cannot confirm the abduction of the traditional ruler in the state.

Odunlami admitted that a vehicle was attacked by gunmen along Owo-Ikare road on Thursday evening and four persons were kidnapped in the attack.

“We cannot confirm the kidnap of any traditional ruler,” Ondo police spokesperson said.

“Yesterday evening, a distress call was put across to one of our divisions that a vehicle while travelling along Owo-Ikare road was shot by unknown gunmen and in the course of the attack, the driver got injured and they whisked away four other persons. Currently, we don’t know the identities of those people.”

The development comes some days after gunmen attacked Craneburg Construction Company in Owo LGA, Ondo state, leaving two workers injured.