Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted several passengers after killing a commercial driver and a female passenger at Legbeka community, Ose Local Government in Ondo State.

The Ondo Police spokesman, SP Fumilayo Odunlami-Omisanyan, who confirmed incident said policemen have been deployed to comb the forest to ensure the release of the victims.

It was gathered that two passengers were said to have escaped with injuries.

Also, it was reported that a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member was among the passengers who were abducted.

According to a witness the gunmen took over a checkpoint along the Akure-Benin highway after policemen stationed at the place left.

The witness said the driver thought the gunmen were policemen but realised too late after he had approached them.

“The criminals were at the police checkpoint. The driver thought they were policemen. It was when he attempted to reverse that they shot him and the passenger. He was shot in the head.”