Suspected kidnappers of a bus driver from Ado Ekiti, Felix Akinde, have demanded the sum of N5 million as ransom for his release.
The victim was abducted on Tuesday around 5 am along Ikere-Ekiti/ Akure highway while travelling to Akure from Ado-Ekiti.
Heavily armed men ambushed the bus as it struggled to navigate potholes on the route.
The owner of the vehicle and former executive of National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), Adedeji Adeyemi, said he was contacted by the kidnappers.
Mr Adeyemi said only the driver was kidnapped as against reports which said 10 passengers including the driver were abducted.
Ondo police spokesman, Femi Joseph, had also confirmed that only the driver was abducted.
A source close to the driver’s family said the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N2 million after pleas.
Adeyemi said the driver had left Ado-Ekiti around 4:30 am en route Akure to move passengers to Onitsha when he was abducted.
Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo State, Jacob Adebo, assured that the driver would soon be released.
Sources said men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Barracks in Akure, in collaboration with other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the abductors in Iju forest.
