In a heart-wrenching incident, a group of travelers heading to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, fell victim to an armed ambush on Sunday night, December 22, 2024. The attack occurred near Emure-Ile in Emure Local Government Area of the state, leaving families in anguish and raising fresh concerns about safety on Nigerian roads.
The 18-seater bus, which departed from Onitsha, Anambra State, was intercepted by heavily armed bandits who forced all passengers, including the driver, into a nearby forest. Among those kidnapped were men, women, and children.
In a distressing twist, the kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦30 million for each victim. One of the abductees, the driver, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, had his family contacted by the kidnappers to relay their demands.
A glimmer of hope emerged when some children from the bus, seemingly abandoned by the attackers, were discovered crying by passersby early Monday morning. The children have since been handed over to the police, but the fate of the other passengers remains uncertain.
Speaking on the incident, a source from the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ado-Ekiti revealed that two passengers managed to escape while being marched into the forest. “They called the family of the driver, demanding ₦30 million for each person. They promised to call back but haven’t yet,” the source shared.
Authorities in Ekiti State are yet to release an official statement on the incident. However, local security teams, including the Amotekun Corps, have launched search and rescue operations in a bid to free the remaining captives.
This heartbreaking event highlights the escalating security challenges travelers face, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger measures to safeguard lives on Nigeria’s roads. As families pray for the safe return of their loved ones, the nation is once again called to confront the growing menace of insecurity.
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