By Omowumi Omotosho
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of seven persons, including the driver of a Sienna bus, along the Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in Ekiti Local Government Area. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
According to the statement issued by the Spokesperson of Kwara State police command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi on Sunday afternoon, the victims were en route to Offa from Abuja when “armed hoodlums, numbering about eight, reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus with registration number FFA 50 XD heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants including the driver.”
The police statement confirmed the earlier report of the National Pilot newspaper on the kidnapping incident.
According to the National Pilot’s report, the incident occurred when the victims, who boarded a Sienna bus belonging to Olumoh Express, a transport company based in Offa, were intercepted by suspected kidnappers mid-journey in Obbo-Aiyegunle area of the Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.
The transport company’s secretary Mr. Mukaila Ogunlade confirmed the incident to National Pilot in a telephone conversation saying; “The incident truly happened. In fact, we are just coming from Osi Police Station. The bus left the park with five passengers, but the oldest of the children that were left behind told us that two more people later joined them on the way. Presently, we are looking for seven people”.
The Police statement further revealed that it’s operatives in “collaboration with local Vigilantes responded swiftly to the scene. The vehicle was recovered to the nearest police formation. During a coordinated search of the surrounding bush, three children aged between 2 and 12 years were located and safely rescued. One of the children was able to give the police detailed information of her guardian, he was contacted; the three rescued children have been reunited with their relatives.”
The police therefore stated that efforts to locate the remaining abducted victims are ongoing.
“The Kwara Command has intensified efforts through discreet investigation, intelligence gathering, and sustained bush combing to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims. The Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo psc mnips assures the public that the Command remains fully committed to the safety and protection of all residents and urges anyone with useful information to report through the established channels of the kwara police command,the statement concluded.
