Gunmen have abducted four travellers along the Irele Ekiti-Oke Ako Highway in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti State.

The latest abduction is one of a series of abductions on the highway in which some victims were killed.

Credible sources in the community told newsmen on Monday that the victims, who were were returning to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after attending an event in Kogi State last weekend, were kidnapped on Sunday afternoon.

They were said to have been waylaid by gunmen on the road between Irele-Ekiti and Oke Ako and took the travellers into the forest.

“The four persons kidnapped were returning from an event in Kogi to Ibadan along the Irele Ekiti and Oke Ako Road.

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“We have not heard anything from the gunmen since yesterday (Sunday), and we are hoping they will get in touch with their families, possibly for ransom,” a credible source disclosed.

Confirming the incident, a community leader in Irele-Ekiti, Chief Kehinde Abejide, condemned the abduction, saying incessant attacks by gunmen in the area were becoming worrisome.

Abejide, however, called on the governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, to partner with the military to help in fighting the menace in the state

“These four people were returning to Ibadan when they were attacked and kidnapped on Sunday and we have not heard anything since they were taken into the forest.

“We have been crying and pleading with the government to help us in this area, but it appears nothing is happening, especially when you consider the recurring incidents in the community.

“Though, we have in the past made local arrangements here relating to security, it can never be enough to confront these people.

“Let me call on the governor of Ekiti to do something urgently on insecurity before our people in the entire communities in Ajoni LCDA are wiped out.

“There is the need for a military post between Irele and Oke Ako, which will help to forestall any possible attack by these gunmen because it appears they are taking advantage of the poor security arrangements here,” the community leader said.

When contacted, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, said he would brief the media as soon as details about the incident get to his office.

The Star