Residents of Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State were thrown into panic on Tuesday night after suspected bandits abducted three people in the border community. Two of the victims were later rescued following a swift security operation.
The traditional ruler of the community, the Asa’Ooni of Ora-Igbomina, His Royal Majesty, Oba Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview on Wednesday. He disclosed that the attack occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. around the Gaa-Fulani area of Papa, Ora-Igbomina.
According to the monarch, officials of the Osun Amotekun Corps alerted him to the incident shortly after it began. He immediately contacted security agencies, including the military, police, and other relevant authorities, to mobilise a response.
However, before security operatives could reach the scene, the armed men had already whisked away three victims identified as Hon. Debo Faroubi, Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mary Bamigboye, and a Fulani woman. The abductors reportedly led the victims into a nearby forest.
Oba Abikoye said the rapid intervention of Nigerian soldiers led to the rescue of the two female victims after security personnel engaged the kidnappers. Despite the successful rescue operation, Hon. Faroubi remains in captivity as security agencies intensify efforts to secure his freedom.
The monarch revealed that a joint team comprising military personnel, police officers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Amotekun Corps, and forest guards has launched an extensive search operation in the forest where the kidnappers were believed to have taken the victims.
Speaking on the latest developments, Oba Abikoye also disclosed that members of the Iru Ekun security outfit arrested two suspected Bororo herders in the forest. The suspects were reportedly brought to the palace shortly after their arrest before being handed over to the police and military authorities for further investigation and interrogation.
“I was at the palace between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. when Amotekun officials came to inform me about the incident. I immediately contacted the soldiers’ commander, the police DPO and other security agencies. Unfortunately, before they arrived, three people had already been kidnapped,” the monarch said.
He added that security operatives were able to rescue the two women after confronting the kidnappers, while efforts remain ongoing to free Hon. Faroubi. He further noted that the forest is currently being combed by security personnel in a coordinated operation.
Ora-Igbomina, one of the communities in Osun State bordering Kwara State, has in recent years faced growing security concerns linked to criminal activities in forested areas around the boundary corridor.
As of press time on Wednesday, efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Osun State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls placed to the phone number of the Police Public Relations Officer went unanswered, while a message sent to his WhatsApp line had yet to receive a response.
