Suspected gunmen on Tuesday night abducted a pregnant woman in Ayedele community, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The victim, identified as Mary Jesulayomi, was reportedly seized alongside a 90-year-old man, Pa Ogunleye Mese, and his wife, Mrs Mese, at about 7:40pm near the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro, on thinoutskirts of Akure.
It was learnt that the assailants, said to be about four, later freed the elderly couple a short distance from the scene, while the expectant woman was taken away.
In a video interview recorded in Akure, Pa Mese said the attackers arrived suddenly and fired shots into the air, forcing residents to flee before dragging the three victims toward a nearby bush.
He added that he sustained injuries during the incident but managed to escape while they were being led away.
Also speaking in the footage, Mrs Mese said she collapsed from exhaustion while the gunmen were moving them into the bush, prompting the assailants to abandon her and take the pregnant woman away.
Confirming the abduction, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said tactical teams had been deployed to the area.
According to him, efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
The incident occurred barely a week after gunmen abducted seven persons in Eleyewo community, also in Akure North Local Government Area, where two of the victims were later rescued by the police.