Bandits kill community leader, kidnap ex-Customs officer in Osun

Palpable fear gripped residents of Ora Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State on Monday night when armed bandits invaded the ancient town, killed the leader of non-indigenes in the community, and abducted a former customs officer, Mr Emmanuel Owolabi, from his residence.

The perpetrators, who reportedly rented the air with repeated gunshots, invaded the settlement, which shares boundaries with Kwara and Ekiti states, in large numbers and took control of the area.

According to eyewitness accounts, the operation lasted several hours, during which residents fled their homes in their hundreds and ran for safety for fear of being kidnapped.

The incident, which occurred in Akisa and some other parts of the town, has since left residents discussing the attack in small groups.

Meanwhile, throughout the operation, local security guards and community vigilantes were said to have made frantic efforts to repel the attackers, but these efforts yielded no positive results as their weapons were inferior to those carried by the bandits.

Commenting on the incident, the Inurin of Ora Igbomina land, High Chief Isaac Fadipe, confirmed the attack and disclosed that members of the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes were combing the bush to track down the bandits and secure the release of the abducted former customs officer.

He, however, called on security agencies and the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to act swiftly to ensure the victim regains his freedom and to fortify the town with armed security operatives to protect residents, noting that the town shares boundaries with both Kwara and Ekiti states.

“We are now living in perpetual fear, and we want the government to act fast on the security of the people,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said more personnel had been deployed to comb the bush in the area.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Ojelabi, who disclosed this to journalists, added that immediately the incident occurred, police operatives and other volunteers pursued the gunmen.

“We are working hard to rescue the victim. One person was shot, but not within Osun. The location where he was killed falls within Kwara State,” Ojelabi concluded.

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