Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded a health centre in Oke-Ijebu, Akure, the Ondo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday, abducting six medical personnel.

The assailants, who reportedly arrived at the facility around 2:00 a.m., took away all health workers on duty, including some interns.

A patient at the clinic, located opposite a mega primary school, said the attackers arrived in a bus and initially created the impression of an emergency.

“When they arrived, everyone thought it was an emergency because of the way they drove into the premises. Even when they came down with guns, no one could immediately understand what was happening.

“It was when they began shouting and ordering all nurses and other staff, except patients, to move into the bus that it became clear. They drove off immediately,” the witness said.

The incident has heightened tension among residents of Akure, amid growing concerns over rising insecurity in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, has rescued five of the abducted victims.

The Commander of Amotekun in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, said the victims were rescued around 4:30 a.m. by the Corps’ Rapid Response Squad.

He added that the rescued victims are currently receiving treatment at an Amotekun facility.

Adeleye also disclosed that the corps rescued a 45-year-old man and his 15-year-old son who were abducted at Pelebe, along the Oda-Akure Road, between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the same day.