Newlyweds, four others abducted along Kwara-Kogi border

Two newlyweds and four other passengers were abducted on Saturday evening along the Iyemero-Eruku Road, a border route between Kwara and Kogi states, police and local media reported.

The victims were identified as Funmilayo Bamidele and her husband, Abiodun David, a Reverend, who were returning from their engagement ceremony in Eruku, Kwara State, when attackers intercepted their vehicle, sources said.

The vehicle was expected to use the Isanlu Road, but the driver took a back route to drop the best man and other members of the party at Iyamoye in Kogi State. The occupants were taken after the vehicle was stopped along the Iyemero-Eruku Road, according to reports.

Kwara State Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo confirmed the abduction and said security agencies had launched a joint operation to rescue the victims and arrest the perpetrators. Mr Ojo told reporters that soldiers had been deployed to comb the surrounding bush and that police operatives from Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states were collaborating on the search.

The vehicle conveying the victims was later found parked at an abandoned police station in Ayetoro, Ekiti State, the police said.

Details of the whereabouts of the other passengers and progress in securing the release of the abducted victims remained unclear as of Sunday, both outlets reported.

BusinessDay published a photograph said to show the newly abducted couple after the incident. Premium Times noted the report and said the attack occurred during a series of recent kidnappings in parts of Kwara State.

Authorities from the three states were conducting coordinated patrols and searches in the border communities as investigations continued, the police statement said.

CityWatch will update this report when security agencies release further details.

Sources: BusinessDay, Premium Times.