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No fewer than 16 persons were kidnapped by unknown gunmen along the Akure-Owo Expressway, in Uso town, Owo Local Government Area on Friday.
Among the victims was the Iyaloja of Isua Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government Area Of Ondo State, Mrs Helen Edward and some other market women.
It was gathered that the victims were coming from the monthly meeting of women market leaders in Akure when they were abducted.
A source said the driver of the bus which conveyed the victims was immediately released by the abductors, who asked him to go home and inform the families of the victims.
According to the driver identified as Jimi, the gunmen, numbering over ten and of Fulani extraction were armed with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically into the air to scare their victims.
He said apart from abducting the women, two other vehicles were robbed while some other people were also kidnapped.
However, a source informed that the abductors have established negotiation with the families of the victims demanding for N11 million to secure their freedom.
The source informed that the hoodlums had however switched off their phones after demanding the sum while there was apprehension in the Isua Akoko over the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying 10 of victims have been released.
He assured that other victims would be rescued alive and unhurt, saying the security operatives from the state would bring the perpetrators to book soon.