Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ORA-IGBOMINA, Nigeria – Armed bandits have abducted the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr. Debo Farounbi, after a fierce gun battle with military personnel stationed in the border community of Ora-Igbomina, near the Osun-Kwara boundary. The attack occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, when yet-to-be-identified gunmen invaded the community, firing sporadically into the air and sending residents into panic.
According to residents, the assailants initially abducted four persons, including two Fulani women, another resident and the local government official. However, military personnel and local volunteers stationed in the town quickly engaged the attackers in a heavy gunfight. The sustained resistance forced the perpetrators to abandon three of the captives, but they managed to escape into the forest with Farounbi.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told The PUNCH: “Four people, two Fulani women and two men including the Ifedayo Local Government Vice Chairman, Debo Farounbi, were abducted. But the resistance put up by the military made the perpetrators abandon three people. They however went away with Farounbi. Our people did not sleep throughout the night. We are in serious fear.” The resident confirmed that the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.
When contacted, the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident. “One person was abducted. He is a local government Vice Chairman, Hon. Debo Farounbi. Immediately the incident happened, the military, police and others responded. Efforts are in place to rescue the man. It is abduction until we are able to prove that it is a case of kidnapping,” Ojelabi said.
Security agencies have since launched a coordinated manhunt to rescue the abducted official and arrest the suspects. “Yes, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government, abducting four persons. However, military engagement forced them to abandon three of the victims,” Ojelabi stated. “They eventually succeeded in taking Debo Faroumbi into the forest with them, and police and other security agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects.”
Farounbi’s abduction is the third such incident to occur in the Ora-Igbomina community within the last seven months. In December 2025, a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, was abducted by suspected bandits in the same area. He was released after spending almost four weeks in captivity, following the payment of an undisclosed ransom. Barely weeks later, on February 1, 2026, suspected bandits again invaded Ora through the Kwara boundary and abducted two other residents. They were also released after about four weeks in captivity.
Community leaders have expressed growing concerns that more residents may flee the town unless urgent action is taken to secure the community. A market leader, Mrs. Alarape, told The PUNCH: “People are leaving the town. And more people may leave unless something urgent is done to secure us. The invaders are coming through our boundary with Kwara State.” A community leader identified simply as Thomas echoed the sentiment, calling for stronger security presence to stop further invasions of the town.
The recurring security breaches along the Osun-Kwara border have raised alarm among community leaders about the effectiveness of current security measures in the area. Authorities have assured residents that ongoing operations are focused on securing the victim’s safe release and bringing those responsible to justice.
As of the time of this report, Farounbi remains in captivity, and no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. The Osun State Police Command continues to appeal to residents to provide credible information that could assist in tracking down the fleeing suspects.
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