Operatives of the Southwest security outfit, Amotekun have rescued at least nine of the passengers abducted by gunmen in Idoani-Ifira Akoko area of Ondo State.

Topnaija reports that the gunmen attacked an 18-seater bus along Idoani-Ifira Akoko axis in Akoko South East Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday evening abducting 12 out of the 18 passengers.

The armed men were said to have blocked the highway on the bad portion of the road and attacked the bus heading towards Lagos from Abuja, forcing the bus to stop abruptly on the highway. They dragged the victims into the bush to an unknown destination.

Adeleye explained that gunshots from the bandits attracted the officials of the Amotekun in the area who pursued the criminals into the bush.

He said only nine of the victims were rescued overnight by the Amotekun men while they are still combing the forest to rescue the other three victims.

Adeleye assured that the three other victims will be rescued unhurt while the hoodlums will be brought to book, saying the anti-kidnapping unit of the command had swung into action to ensure the release of the victims.

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Meanwhile, a source close to one of the victims said that the kidnappers have demanded N10m as ransom for the release of the abducted passengers, saying the abductors have contacted some family members of the victims.