Suspected gunmen on Tuesday night abducted an expectant woman at Ayedele community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, the Nation has learnt.
The victim, identified as Mary Jesulayomi, was seized alongside a nonagenarian, Pa Ogunleye Mese, and his wife, Mrs Mese, around 7:40 pm.
The incident reportedly occurred a few metres from the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro, on the outskirts of Akure.
It was gathered that the armed men, said to be about four in number, later released Pa Mese and his wife – a stone’s throw from the scene of the abduction.
Speaking in a four-minute video interview, obtained by the Nation in Akure, the 90-year-old Pa Mese said he was beaten and sustained injuries during the attack.
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“I was sitting there when the armed men suddenly arrived and started shooting into the air to scare people away. I was confused at first before they came to where I was seated and grabbed the three of us.
“They dragged me, my wife and the pregnant woman towards the bush. I managed to escape while we were being marched and ran in a different direction.”
Also speaking in the footage, Mrs Mese said she collapsed while the gunmen were leading them into the bush, describing the incident as shocking.
“I fell down and could not continue. They left me behind and took the pregnant woman away. Later, policemen arrived for a rescue mission, but the woman had already been taken away,” she said,
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the tactical teams of the command had been deployed to the area.
“Upon receipt of the report, the command deployed tactical teams to the scene. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators,” he said.
The incident came barely a week after gunmen abducted seven persons at Eleyewo community, also in Akure North LGA, where two of the victims were later rescued by the police.