By Ayodele Oni
An18-seater passenger bus has been attacked by armed men and unspecified number of travellers kidnapped between Idoani /Ifira axis of Ondo State.
The incident occurred early Thursday morning at the failed portion of the Idoani-Ifira road in Akoko Southeast local government area of the state.
Sources explained that the bus, which was heading to Lagos, took off from Abuja and had to divert its journey through Ondo state due to dilapidated terrain of Okene – Kabba- Omuo highway.
The Federal Roads Safety Commission, (FRSC) had earlier warned motorists to make use of alternative routes as a result of the failed portions along Lokoja – Okenne – Kabba- highway.
It was gathered that the gun men, all masked started shooting sporadically forcing the passengers to run for dear life.
They reportedly carted away valuables found inside the bus before some of the passengers were whisked away into the bush.
Confirming the incident, the Divisional Police Officer for Isua Akoko, Hakeem Sadiq said the case has been reported and that officers of the anti-kidnapping unit were already combing forests to rescue the people.
He said he was already working with sister agencies to ensure that the travellers were rescued unhurt.
Lamenting incessant robberies and Kidnappings on the highway, an Ifira Akoko community leader, Chief Boboye Ojomo, blamed them on deplorable condition of federal road from orita Ipele/ Idoani/ Ifira and Isua which had been abandoned by the contractor handling the road project.
He called on Federal Government through the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, to look into all federal roads in Ondo State as many are now in state of disrepair.
