By Ayo Kehinde
The Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr Debo Farounbi, has been abducted by suspected gunmen following a late-night attack on Ora-Igbomina community.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday when armed assailants stormed the town, shooting sporadically to instil fear among residents before whisking away the council official.
Sources in the community disclosed that the attackers initially abducted four persons during the raid. However, three of the victims were later rescued after security personnel confronted the kidnappers as they attempted to flee through a border route.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said military personnel engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to release three of their captives.
“The gunmen came into the town around 10 p.m. and started shooting. They took four people away, including the vice chairman. When they got close to the border area, soldiers confronted them, and there was an exchange of gunfire. Three of the abducted persons were rescued, but the vice chairman was taken into the bush by the attackers”, the source said.
The incident has thrown residents of Ora-Igbomina and neighbouring communities into panic, with many expressing concerns over the growing wave of insecurity and kidnappings in parts of the country.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said tactical operatives had been deployed to secure the release of the abducted local government official.
Ojelabi assured residents that the police and other security agencies were actively pursuing the kidnappers and working to ensure the safe return of the victim.
“I want to assure the people of the state to remain calm. The situation is under control, and our men are on the ground for the rescue operation”, he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official information on whether the kidnappers had contacted the victim’s family or associates with any ransom demand.
