Ibarapa on fire as kidnappers hijack 18 seater bus with passengers

Security situation in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State heightened, yesterday, following the hijack of an 18-seater bus along Igboora-Eruwa road by gunmen, who abducted all passengers in the commercial bus.

Confirming the abduction, an indigene of the area, Oladiran Oladokun told Vanguard that an 18-seater bus, coming from Abeokuta and transporting passengers along Igboora-Eruwa road, was ambushed by the gunmen.

Vanguard further gathered from a family source of one of the victims that the gunmen demanded the sum of N10 million as a ransom for each of the victims.

The source said: “Yes, the 18 people were kidnapped this morning (Thursday), while seven were also kidnapped yesterday (Wednesday).”

Another source, who spoke to Vanguard, noted that kidnappers have continued to have their ways despite heavy security presence in the zone.

He confirmed that seven people were also kidnapped around 5 pm on Wednesday.

He said: “The rate of kidnappings in Ibarapa in the last few weeks has become worrisome. Yesterday (Wednesday) at 5.00 pm, seven persons, who were on their way to Eruwa had their vehicle stopped on the bridge and were whisked away into the kidnappers’ vehicle. This has taken a new dimension. I am greatly disturbed.

The police are back on the road extorting money from drivers. With their presence, nothing has changed. Should we say their presence has brought the resurgence of kidnappings in the region?

“Two weeks ago, two students were kidnapped. The parents paid N1.2 million before their release. The commercial vehicle conveying the students was stopped midway.”