Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ora Igbomina, Osun State — Residents of Ora Igbomina, a community in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, were thrown into fear on Monday evening after suspected bandits attacked the town, killing one person and abducting a retired Customs officer, local authorities confirmed.
The gunmen, who officials and eyewitnesses described as armed bandits, reportedly invaded the community at about 7:00 p.m., targeting the home of a former Nigerian Customs Service officer, Mr Emmanuel Owolabi. Upon arrival, the attackers ambushed and abducted him as he was returning home, according to accounts from community leaders and police sources.
In the course of the raid, the assailants allegedly encountered another resident working on his farm in the Akisa area nearby. The man was shot and killed as the bandits made their escape into the bush, local chiefs said. His 10‑year‑old son, who was with him at the time, ran to the town to raise the alarm after the attack.
The atmosphere in Ora Igbomina, located close to the borders with Ekiti and Kwara states, is tense as residents recount a night of intense gunfire and panic. Many fled their homes or sought shelter when the armed attackers arrived, firing sporadically to clear paths and prevent resistance.
Local traditional authority, represented by High Chief Sunday Fadipe, the Inurin of Ora Igbomina, said the killers made a beeline for the former customs officer’s residence, suggesting the abduction was targeted rather than random. Fadipe appealed to the Osun State Government and security agencies to step up patrols and enhance protection for border communities that he said are increasingly vulnerable to cross‑border raids by roaming criminal groups.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command said it has received reports of the attack and was following up with groundwork investigations to verify details and rescue the abducted victim. DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the state police public relations officer, said the Divisional Police Officer for the area had visited victims’ homes to gather statements and that manpower and resources are being mobilised to pursue the perpetrators.
Mrs Titilayo Owolabi, the wife of the abducted ex‑Customs officer, told journalists that her husband had just left her shop around late afternoon before falling into the hands of his captors. The couple have not received communication from the abductors as of the latest reports, and authorities have not yet disclosed whether any ransom demands have been made.
The incident represents one of several recent security breaches in parts of Osun State that border other regions, where criminals and bandit groups have taken advantage of porous rural corridors and limited night‑time patrols to mount kidnappings and violent attacks. Security analysts note that communities near state boundaries are often targeted for swift entry and escape routes through dense farmland and bushland.
Local vigilante groups, including neighbourhood security outfits, reported attempts to mobilise and intercept fleeing bandits, but sources said the attackers were heavily armed and able to outgun uncoordinated defenders. Early reactions from residents have been a mixture of shock, grief, and renewed calls for a stronger police and paramilitary presence in rural hubs that have historically suffered from delayed or insufficient security responses.
As the investigation proceeds, families of both the deceased and the abducted continue to appeal to the state government and security services for urgent action. With no statement yet from the bandits, community leaders fear that the abduction may be aimed at extracting ransom and have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to law enforcement.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments