Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A distressing banditry attack has unsettled Ora‑Igbomina, a rural border community in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria, prompting a sustained security response and deep concern among residents and authorities. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Monday, December 15, has been officially confirmed by the Osun State Government, which says military‑backed operations have been underway for several days in efforts to rescue the abducted and secure the area.
According to official statements from the government and security sources, the assault unfolded around 7 p.m. on a quiet Monday as suspected bandits, wielding guns and operating in coordinated numbers, stormed parts of the Ora‑Igbomina community near the border with Kwara and Ekiti states. The attackers reportedly opened fire into the night and forced their way into residential areas, sending terrified villagers fleeing for cover under a barrage of gunshots.
During the violent incursion, the assailants abducted a prominent local resident, Prince Emmanuel Owolabi, a retired Customs officer, from his home on Akisa Road. Eyewitnesses and family members describe chaotic scenes as the gunmen forced him into waiting vehicles before disappearing into the bushland that fringes the community. Residents told journalists that the attack took place suddenly as Owolabi was returning to his house, with the gunmen firing shots indiscriminately to instil fear and confusion.
In addition to the abduction, one resident was killed during the attack. Reports vary slightly on the identity, with some local accounts naming the victim as a community leader or village head, while others describe the deceased as the leader of non‑indigenes in the town. The fatality occurred as the assailants fled through farmland near the community, and the victim was reportedly struck by gunfire as he worked on his farm. The killing has deepened local alarm about the reach and brutality of armed groups in the region.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed that a manhunt and tactical response have been initiated to pursue the kidnappers and rescue Owolabi. Police deployed tactical teams alongside forest guards, vigilantes, and other local security volunteers to comb the surrounding bushland in search of the abducted man and any fleeing bandits. While engagement details remain limited, law enforcement sources say heightened patrols and intelligence efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend those responsible.
In response to the assault, Governor Ademola Adeleke convened an emergency State Security Council meeting in the state capital, Osogbo, and issued a detailed statement on Thursday confirming that military‑backed rescue and protection operations have been in progress since the attack. The governor described the raid as a serious security breach, especially in light of precautions already put in place in recent months to safeguard border communities.
Governor Adeleke emphasised that security forces are proceeding carefully to avoid endangering rescue efforts, while also working closely with police, military personnel, and the Department of State Services to contain the situation. He assured residents that the government is committed to bolstering border security and preventing future incursions, announcing plans to deploy refurbished armoured vehicles and additional patrol units across the state.
As part of strengthened security arrangements, the governor has also issued new operational guidelines directing the state’s security network, including the Amotekun Corps, to work in close coordination with the Nigeria Police Force. He warned that isolated operations by different agencies would no longer be tolerated, underscoring the need for unified efforts in tackling banditry and kidnapping threats along vulnerable frontiers.
Local traditional leaders and community representatives have condemned the violence and urged faster action from authorities. High Chief Isaac Fadipe, the Inurin of Ora‑Igbomina land, has called for more armed personnel and resources to protect residents and enhance rapid response when attacks occur. Many families remain fearful and reluctant to return to normal life as they await news on the abducted former customs officer’s fate.
The psychological impact on the community has been profound. Ora‑Igbomina, historically known for its agricultural and trading activities, has seen residents flee in the aftermath of the assault, with many seeking refuge in nearby towns out of fear of additional attacks. The disruption of livelihood and social cohesion has amplified calls for more decisive protective measures in rural and border settlements that are particularly susceptible to banditry.
Security analysts observing the wider trend of violence in Nigeria note that attacks of this nature — involving kidnapping for ransom and targeted raids on border communities — reflect long‑standing challenges in policing vast rural areas and managing porous frontiers. Although banditry has been more commonly associated with northern and central parts of the country, recent incidents in states like Osun demonstrate its expanding geographic footprint and the growing urgency for integrated national responses.
Osun authorities have reiterated their determination to safeguard citizens’ lives and property, appealing for calm and stressing that joint operations with federal forces remain central to the rescue mission and broader security strategy. As the ordeal unfolds, families of the abducted await any breakthrough in locating their loved one, while the state intensifies efforts to prevent further incursions and reassure communities that stability and safety are priorities.
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