Gunmen have abducted five persons from Makeke Health Centre in Umakeke community, Akoko-Edo Local Council of Edo State.

The National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Mr Omowumi Bode Ekundayo, disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Benin.

He identified those abducted as a nurse at the health centre, Mrs Gladys Okomayin; a female secondary school student, Miss Tope Oriloye; and Mr Samuel Ilesanmi, who had reportedly taken his son to the facility for treatment.

The identities of two other victims were not immediately disclosed.

It was learnt that the kidnappers later abandoned the nurse because she was unable to keep pace with them in the bush.

Ekundayo said that in an effort to rescue the victims, hunters and vigilantes in Makeke mobilised and combed the forest without success.

He further disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted the families and demanded N100 million ransom for the release of Miss Oriloye and Mr Ilesanmi.

He said: “We have written, warned and passed timely information to all security agencies and the tiers of government in Edo State.

“Is it not yet obvious that the worsening scourge will snowball into intractable catastrophes in future? Akoko Edo is surrounded. Is it not clear that Benue and Kwara states are fast descending to Edo State, their open gateway being the vast wilderness of Akoko Edo.”

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident and said efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.