The police in Ondo State on Tuesday launched a manhunt for the abductors of two persons in Supare Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday evening.
One of the victims of the crime is a member of staff of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Omoniyi Eleyinmi, while the identity of the other was yet to be ascertained as of press time.
A source told The Punch on Tuesday that Eleyinmi was abducted by the assailants just as he was arriving home from work.
The source added that the victim’s wife, who had stepped outside to welcome her husband, narrowly escaped as the gunmen fired sporadically into the air.
He said, “Mr Eleyinmi was kidnapped at his residence at Supare-Akoko. He had just returned from work when the incident occurred.
“His wife said her husband was not at home when they (gunmen) initially arrived in commando style. The kidnappers were already around the area when he returned, only to be seized and taken away immediately with his wife, but later he escaped”
It was also gathered that Eleyinmi is a member of staff of the Faculty of Education in the state government-owned university.
A relative of the victim who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the family said the abductors had not contacted the family on the issue of ransom, while the matter had been reported at the police station.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, who confirmed the incident, said one of the victims had been rescued, while efforts were ongoing to rescue Eleyinmi.
Ayanlade declined to provide further details on the matter due to the sensitivity of the situation, assuring that updates will be provided as events unfold.
“They (victims) were on the bike when they were accosted at Supare. They took them away, but we were able to rescue one of the victims, and we are currently debriefing him. We have deployed the necessary assets to rescue the remaining victim.”
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Victor Akinpelumi, said the institution was collaborating with the police towards securing the release of the victim.
“We have contacted the police, and they assured us that they have swung into action,” Akinpelumi stated.
The Punch
