Tobias Sylvester
One person has been killed unknown gunmen while trying to kidnap a retired United States of America army officer, Major Jide Ijadare, and one other person were kidnapped in Ijan Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
It was gathered that Ijadare, a native of Ijan Ekiti, was kidnapped on Tuesday at his palm oil production factory located on Ijan-Ise Ekiti road.
Confirming the incident, a resident of the community revealed that the criminal numbering seven had invaded the factory, where they shot a staff in the course of trying to kidnap the retired army officer and other victim.
“They came into the factory with guns and started shooting sporadically. They shot and killed one of the staff of the factory.
“They thereafter dragged Major Ijadare and the other staff into the car and zoomed off,” the source said, adding that the abductors escaped through Ise Ekiti road.
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Abutu, also confirmed that one person was killed during the abduction.
“We can confirm to you that a retired US soldier was kidnapped around 2:00p.m. today (Tuesday) along with one other person.
“One person was also killed during the attack on a factory in Ijan Ekiti, where the two persons were also kidnapped.
“The state police commissioner has drafted policemen to the place, and we are combing the bushes where they escaped into.
“The police are now working with local hunters to ensure that these kidnappers are arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
This is coming barely 48 hours after some gunmen attacked officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), killing two officers and kidnapping about 10 others at Udege junction, along Mararaban-Udege, Nasarawa State.
