One killed, ex-US soldier abducted as gunmen invade oil factory in Ekiti

Seven gunmen were said to have stormed a factory located at Ijan-Ekiti, Ekiti state, on Tuesday, and abducted Jide Ijadare, a retired US major general.

One person was also killed during the attack.

Sunday Abutu, the police public relations officer in Ekiti, confirmed the incident, stating that the retired major general was abducted alongside another yet-to-be-identified person.

“We can confirm to you that a retired US soldier and one other were kidnapped around 2pm today (Tuesday),” Abutu said.

“One person was also killed during the attack at a factory in Ijan-Ekiti where the two persons were kidnapped.

“The Police Commissioner has drafted policemen to the place and we are combing the bushes where they escaped into. The Police is working with local hunters to ensure that these kidnappers are arrested and prosecuted.”

According to NAN, the seven gunmen shot sporadically into the air and killed one person, after which Ijadare and another victim were taken away.

The incident comes hours after David Jejelowo, a director in the Ekiti state local government service commission, was killed by unknown persons at his residence in Ado Ekiti, on Monday.

Meanwhile, in April, Olatunji Omotosho, councillor of Ilejemeje local government area (LGA), was shot dead, while Folorunso Olabode, Ekiti state commissioner for agriculture, was abducted by unknown gunmen.

Olabode, who was with Omotosho at the time he was killed, was kidnapped on his way from Ado-Ekiti to his hometown in Iye-Ekiti, Ilejemeje LGA of the state.

He later regained his freedom after eight days in captivity.