Unknown gunmen have abducted a would-be couple in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State few days to their wedding.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sunday Abutu, the state police command spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Abutu said the assailants kidnapped the lovebirds on Sunday while returning from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where they were said to have gone to buy items for their wedding.
The police spokesman said three persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
“We learnt that the couple came to Ado Ekiti and were returning to their base when they were picked up by gunmen,” he said.
“Immediately we got the report, the Police Commissioner, Babatunde Mobayo, mobilised our men and officers to the surrounding forests.
“As I speak, our men are working in conjunction with Amotekun corps, local hunters and Vigilance groups, combing the forests to free the victims.”
Abutu said those arrested have been detained at the police headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, and will be arraigned as soon as investigations were concluded.
NAN quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the victims were abducted on Ilasa-Ekiti-Ayebode road in Ekiti east local government.
Family members of the victims also said the abductors have contacted them and demanded five million as ransom to secure their freedom.
One of the eyewitnesses disclosed that the vehicle conveying the would-be couple was attacked at a bad portion of the highway.
“The deplorable condition of our roads seems to be a major factor responsible for these repeated cases of kidnapping,” the eyewitness was quoted as saying.
