New couple kidnapped on wedding day in Ondo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday morning abducted a new couple, Moses Yakubu, and his new wife in Akunnu Akoko in the Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo state.

According to a source, the new couple who were heading to Akure, Ondo state capital, from Okene, Kogi state, for their marriage slated for Sunday, were kidnapped with some family members including the best man and chief bride maid.

The source explained that the couple were stopped by the kidnappers in Akunnu, ordering them out of the car at gunpoint and dragged the couple and some of their friends away into the bush.

He said there was no resistance from all the victims as they filed in tow and obeyed the order of the kidnappers ordering them to move into the forest.

Also confirming the development, the father of the bride, Mr Ahmed Amodu, said the armed men took away the couple, but said the bride and her sister have been set free by the kidnappers few hours after their abduction.

He however said the groom and four others including two males and two females are still in the custody of the gunmen, saying there was no contact about their where about and no ransom demanded.

Confirming the kidnap, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, said the command has swung into action to rescue the five victims from the kidnappers.

Joseph said detectives from the command have been combing the area and the forest in Akunnu to rescue the victims, assuring that the victims will be rescued unhurt, while the kidnappers will not go unpunished.

The PPRO said the new Police Commissioner in the state, Gbenga Adeyanju, has met with top officers of the command on how to curb the trend of kidnapping in the Akoko area of the state which shared boundary with Kogi and Edo states.