A search party comprising 26 hunters organised to rescue a kidnapped medical doctor and a nurse was ambushed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani elements in the Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The doctor, Oladunni Odetola, who is the head of state General Hospital, Imeko and the nurse, identified as Mrs Bamgbose, were kidnapped on the Abeokuta-Imeko road on Wednesday night in Ogun State.

The medical personnel were abducted by gunmen while driving in a Toyota Camry (Muscle) marked KTU 584 FR, along Abeokuta-Imeko road.

It was learnt that the gunmen emerged from a bush at Olubo village and attacked the health workers.

A search party was quickly organised by the people of Imeko. 26 hunters were mobilised to rescue the medical personnel but the hunters were ambushed on their way.

A source, who craved anonymity, told The PUNCH on Saturday that the hunters were waylaid as they approached the scene of the incident.

The source said, “We hired 10 motorbikes and two motorcycles and sent 26 local hunters in search of our dear and only medical doctor in service of the whole General Hospital in Imeko.

“On their way, they met these gunmen whom with AK-47 rifles dared and engaged our local vigilantes, wounded two of them and set the two cars and nine of the ten motorcycles ablaze. In fact, one of the bikes was a brand new one. We have since rushed the injured hunters to the hospital. We want the government to help us.”

Continuing, the source said the kidnappers have established contact with the family of the doctor and the nurse and have demanded N20m ransom.

When contacted, the state Chairman of the NMA, Ogunlaja Oladayo, confirmed the kidnap. Oladayo said, “Yes, it is true. But we have allowed the security operatives to do their job. We don’t want anything to jeopardise the process.”

Also confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, “Police detectives are on the trail of the kidnappers.” (The PUNCH)

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