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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Segun Ayebulu, while traveling on Saturday evening along Oke Ako-Irele road in Ekiti State.
Ayebulu, was said to have met his untimely death having been hit by bullets in the head and chest when gunmen fired gunshots at the vehicle conveying him.
After shooting the NSCDC officer dead, the gunmen also kidnapped three persons and whisked them off to an unknown place.
Irele Ekiti located in Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, is a border town between Ekiti and Kwara States.
Recounting the unfortunate incident to Journalists on Sunday via telephone conversation, a prominent politician from the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the incident happened between 6:30 pm to 7:00pm on the fateful day.
The politician confirmed to newsmen that three other occupants of the vehicle conveying the deceased operative were kidnapped at gunpoint and their whereabouts are yet to be known
He said the gunmen were said to have shot sporadically to stop the vehicle and the victim was said to have been hit by bullets in the head and chest when the driver was making effort to escape the dangerous scene.
The source revealed that some farmers that were returning from their farms to Oke -Ako, were said to have abandoned their bicycles and motorcycles and fled into the bush upon being terrified by the sporadic gunshots.
He said: “It was a sad event. One of the farmers confirmed to me that the gunmen hid beside the bush along that route and opened fire on the vehicle while trying to stop them.
“He also disclosed that the driver tried to escape, it was at that moment that the gunmen shot directly at the car and hit the NSCDC officer in the head and chest.
“Three other occupants of the vehicle were also dragged out of the vehicle and taken straight into the bush. This is the information we got from some farmers who hid inside the bush and watched the scene as it happened”.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Tolu Afolabi, confirmed that the man was traveling to his town in Ogbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, when his vehicle was attacked by these gunmen.
“I can confirm to you that we lost one of our operatives on Saturday to some gunmen who fired gunshots at his vehicle while traveling to his Ogbe countryhome in Kogi State.
“We can also confirm to you that other occupants of the vehicle were also abducted, but I can’t confirm to you their exact number as I speak with you. We are still Investigating and we will release the comprehensive report to the public when it is ready.
“The deceased’s corpse had been deposited in the morgue in one of the hospitals in Ekiti here”.
The NSCDC spokesman confirmed that his men and officers in collaboration with the police and local hunters have started combing the sprawling forest between Kwara and Ekiti border with the intent to arrest the perpetrators.
