On Saturday, the Ondo State Police Command reported that eight out of the 25 individuals who were kidnapped merely 20 hours prior have been successfully rescued.

The victims, all members of the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Igan, Akure, were kidnapped while traveling to a burial ceremony in Ifon. The hoodlums, believed to be gunmen, attacked them on the Benin-Akure Expressway near the Ifon area in Ose Local Government Area of the state and took them to an unknown location in the bush.

The rescued individuals were said to be choristers of the church. Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the successful rescue and assured that efforts are still ongoing to rescue the remaining hostages.

She shared the good news on a WhatsApp platform, stating that they are working to bring them back unhurt. The specifics as to what substance she ingested and how could not be immediately established.