UPDATE: Many Killed As Armed Robbers Storm Akure-Owo Expressway
Not less than four people are reported killed in a late night new year eve armed robbery in Ondo state, Nigerian Cable News online have gathered.
A lecturer in the department of Languages, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo( RUGIPO) Ondo State, Mrs Bose Ayodele, and other travelers on the Monday evening escaped from being victims along the dreaded Akure-Owo expressway.
The Armed robbery attack happened between Uso and Ogbese axis of the road.
Ayodele in message posted on the WhatsApp platform of RUGIPO’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic( ASUP)said, “We just escaped armed robbery some 30mins ago. This happened between Ogbese and Uso; some two mins drive to Uso from Ogbese. We were practically face to face with death. Some people were killed. We had a very narrow escape. Praise God on our behalf.”
Some of the victims who suffered gunshot were said to have been rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo for medical attention.
Reacting to the incident, Dr Raman Abubakri of the Department of Mass Communication who was once a victim of kidnapping in along the axis called on government to find a lasting solution to the incessant kidnappings on the road.
“The soldiers’ fire brigade approach is not the solution. Provision should be made for soldiers to be constant on the notorious road. Besides, the tick bushes at the right and left sides should be cleared for about 100 meters from the main road.
“These measures will checkmate the boldness of the criminals who are now desperate to make money at all cost,” the message read in part.
Another eye witness who got to the point few minutes after the incident but pleaded anonymity told Nigerian Cable News online that four of their victims were lying dead by the road side.
contacted by Nigerian Cable News online, the Ondo state Police Command P.R.O, Mr. Femi Joseph asked to be given some more time to gather facts on the incident.
Kidnappers had in the last four weeks abducted travellers along the Akure-Owo-Ikare road thereby causing apprehension in the state.
