Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Attack: Gunmen Kill Woman, Abduct Seven
Unknown gunmen shot dead one person and allegedly abducted seven others along the Fidiwo area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in a commando-like style on Monday
Reports indicated that the victim met his death while trying to escape the attack by the criminal elements said to be dressed in military uniform.
An eyewitness account said the vehicle conveying the victims was accosted by the armed men who fired shots randomly before taking the seven passengers hostage and escaping with them into the sprawling bush along the expressway.
The source also hinted that a female passenger in another vehicle who attempted to flee the scene of the crime got shot and left in critical condition by the gun-wielding men leaving her while another unidentified woman was not so lucky as she was felled by stray bullets from the armed men’s guns.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, said the police had commenced a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers, explaining that; “One person reported a kidnapping incident on Monday. She said she and her family were travelling from Akure to Lagos in their family vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus, when they were intercepted by a group of armed individuals who were firing sporadically after passing the Fidiwo Bridge.
“Seven people, including the parents of the person, were abducted and taken into the bush while she and her four siblings were left behind. The children were brought to the police station along with the vehicle.”
Offering further information on the attack, the Police spokesperson said; “One female who was travelling in another vehicle was shot by the kidnappers while attempting to escape. She is currently receiving treatment at the Victory Hospital Ogere.
“Information from the victim suggests that there were approximately 15 kidnappers wearing army uniforms. She was shot while fleeing while an unidentified female corpse, shot during the incident, was found and deposited at the Fos Mortuary in Ipara.”
According to the Police PRO, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, immediately swung into action by deploying senior officers to conduct a bush-combing exercise as soon as the abduction report was received, adding that the quick response led to one of the victims being rescued on Tuesday.
She said; “Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun, ordered a bush-combing exercise into the Bamboo Forest to rescue the kidnapped victims from the incident. The operation was coordinated by the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, and assisted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sagamu.
“At about 1230hrs today, the police team successfully liberated one of the victims who has been united with his family.”
She assured the public that “The commissioner is fully on top of this incident to ensure others are rescued while the CP is assuring residents of Ogun not to panic or exercise any restraint in their travelling plans”
