Eight out of 25 choristers from the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke-Igan, Akure, Ondo State capital, who were kidnapped by gunmen, have escaped from their captors.
The Commander of the Ondo State Security Network, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, revealed this while confirming the abduction of the choir members.
According to Adeleye, the victims escaped while they were being forcefully taken into the forest by the armed men in the Owo/Ose axis of the state.
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The remaining victims, however, are still being held captive, a development which the Amotekun commander said has prompted a swift response from the security agencies in the state.
He said that the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Amotekun Corps and the Nigerian Army, have launched a joint comprehensive search operation to locate and rescue the kidnapped victims.
“The primary objective is to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the remaining captives.”
The Police spokesperson in the state added, “Eight victims have been rescued. Effort is on to rescue others unhurt. The rescued victims said they are members of CAC Oke Igan, Akure.
“They were on their way to a burial wake. On getting to Ajagbale via Elegbeka on the Ifon/Owo Motorway, they were accosted by five unknown gunmen who shot sporadically and forcefully took them into the bush.”