A newlywed couple and four other passengers were abducted on the Eruku-Iyemero Road that links parts of Kwara and Kogi states, the Kwara State Police Command has confirmed and two national outlets reported.
What happened
Both Channels Television and Vanguard reported that the victims were travelling from an engagement ceremony in Eruku when gunmen intercepted their vehicle on Saturday evening. The group, which included the newlyweds and four others, was heading back when the incident occurred.
Route and interception
According to both reports, the vehicle was expected to take the Isanlu Road but the driver chose a back road to drop off the best man and other members of the party in Iyamoye, Kogi State. Vanguard said the vehicle was intercepted by suspected terrorists on the Iyemero-Eruku Road; that characterisation is reported by Vanguard and is attributed in this article.
Names and vehicle location
Vanguard named the newlyweds as Funmilayo Bamidele and her husband, Reverend Abiodun David. That identification is reported by Vanguard.
Both outlets said the vehicle in which the victims were travelling was later found parked at an abandoned police station in Ayetoro, Ekiti State.
Security response
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the abduction, and both Channels Television and Vanguard reported he said soldiers were combing the bush to try to locate the perpetrators and free the victims. The reports added that police operatives from Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states are working together on a joint rescue operation because the attack occurred around border communities of the three states.
What is still unknown
Both reports said further details about the whereabouts of the kidnapped persons and current efforts to secure their release were still being awaited as of Sunday.
RiyeNewsday will update this story when official confirmations or new information are released by security agencies or eyewitnesses.
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