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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders in the early hours of Saturday killed a commercial driver, identified as Oluwatosin Aruwajoye, and abducted five passengers, while another person, Ibrahim Tiamiyu, was shot in the thigh at Onigaari axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
One of the passengers, however, managed an escape.
The incident reportedly happened at about 6am on Saturday.
It was gathered that an eight-seater ash colour Toyota Sienna bus with registration number MUS 493 HH, was heading to Lagos from Ibadan, when the kidnappers suddenly emerged from the bush at Onigaari, shooting sporadically.
According to the information gathered, the driver, who sensed their presence and tried to manoeuvre his way through, was immediately shot dead at close range, while Tiamiyu was shot in the thigh.
One of the five abducted victims was a woman.
On getting information about Tiamiyu, the brother of the injured victim reported the incident at the Toll Gate Police Division.
Operatives from the Oyo State Police Command’s anti-kidnapping squad and the Toll Gate Police Division were said to have moved to the scene immediately they got the information and rushed the injured victim to the hospital for treatment.
They were said to have combed the bush in a move to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The driver’s corpse was also deposited at the mortuary at Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road.
Meanwhile, the kidnappers have demanded N30 million ransom for the female victim
A reliable source told Sunday Tribune that the kidnappers made the call to a female relation of one of the victims based in Lagos few hours after the abduction.
When contacted, the Oyo State Police Comman spokesperson, DSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.
“There would be an update in due course,” he added.