Residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State, were thrown into fear on Tuesday following the abduction of at least two persons by suspected kidnappers in a fresh security breach in the ancient town.
The victims were reportedly seized along a less-patrolled community road on the outskirts of the town, close to a farming settlement, during the early hours of the day.
Local sources told our correspondent that the gunmen, who were said to be armed with rifles, accosted their victims while they were on their way to their farms, forcing them into the surrounding bush after firing shots into the air.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance.
“They came very early and started shooting. People ran in different directions. Before help could come, they had already taken the people away,” the source said.
The incident is the latest in a series of abductions and violent crimes reported around Ile-Ife and neighbouring communities in recent weeks, raising concerns over the safety of residents, particularly farmers and commuters.
It was gathered that security agencies were alerted shortly after the incident, leading to a joint operation involving police officers and local vigilantes to comb nearby forests.
When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that the command had received a report of the incident.
She said, “The police are aware of the report and efforts are ongoing to track the perpetrators and rescue the victims unhurt. We urge residents to remain calm and continue to provide useful information that can aid our operations.”
Community leaders in the area appealed to the state government to strengthen security patrols, especially in rural communities, noting that fear of kidnapping was beginning to affect farming activities.
One of the leaders said, “Our people are scared to go to their farms. If this continues, it will affect food production and livelihoods.”
Osun State has in recent months witnessed pockets of criminal activities, including kidnapping and armed robbery, particularly along major roads and remote settlements.
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