Residents of Ora community in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State were thrown into panic on Tuesday night after armed men stormed the area and abducted the council’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Debo Farounbi.
The attack, which occurred around 10 p.m. along the Osun-Kwara boundary axis, reportedly saw the gunmen firing sporadically into the air as they invaded the community, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Farounbi was said to have been seized alongside three other persons during the raid. However, a swift response by security operatives, including military personnel and local vigilantes stationed in the area, disrupted the operation and led to the rescue of three of the captives.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers had initially moved the victims towards a nearby forest before encountering resistance from security forces.
A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, disclosed that the kidnappers eventually escaped with only the local government vice chairman after a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“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,” the resident said.
“They however went away with Farounbi. Our people did not sleep throughout the night. We are in serious fear. The incident happened around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said security agencies had launched a coordinated operation to secure the victim’s release.
“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 stated.
Security operatives have since intensified search-and-rescue efforts, while residents of the affected community remain on edge over the incident.
