Some unknown gunmen have abducted a driver of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Seun Emmanuel, along Owo-Ifon road in Ondo State, demanding N10 million for his release.
It was gathered that the driver and his boss and manager in the BEDC Ondo Region were attacked on Tuesday, on their way to Akure from Ifon, the headquarters of the Ose Local Government Area in the state.
It was said that they had reportedly gone for an official assignment.
According to a source, the duo ran into the gunmen who barricaded the road just before Elegbeka town along the Owo-Ifon road and shot at their BEDC branded Hilux Van.
The shooting caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle as the van’s tyre was hit by a bullet and summersaulted into the bush.
The source narrated that the boss fell unconscious and the kidnappers left him, believing he had died but took away the driver to an unknown destination.
It was also learnt that the boss was rescued from the scene after the hoodlums had left.
The source said, “The driver was whisked into the bush by the bandits after his boss. His boss fell unconscious, so they left the boss they thought had died.”
The source added that the bandits had contacted the family of the victim, initially demanding a sum of N100 million but later reduced it to N10 million.
When contacted on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed the incident.
She said the anti-kidnapping unit of the state command had taken over the case and would ensure the victim regains his freedom.
“We are working on the matter. Our men at the anti-kidnapping unit are working towards rescuing the victim,” the PPRO stated.
