By John Dike, Osogbo
Gunmen on Tuesday invaded Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday and abducted the Vice Chairman of the local government, Hon. Debo Faroumbi.
The attack threw the quiet community into confusion as the armed men reportedly fired several gunshots into the air before whisking away their victims.
Sources in the town disclosed that the assailants initially abducted four persons, including Faroumbi, two women and another resident.
Residents said the sound of gunfire sent many people scampering for safety as the gunmen moved through parts of the community.
However, the abductors’ operation was reportedly disrupted by military personnel stationed in the area, who immediately engaged the suspects and pursued them into nearby bushes.
The intervention by security operatives forced the gunmen to abandon three of the abducted victims, while they escaped with the council vice chairman into a nearby forest.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the incident as terrifying, noting that the community had not witnessed such a brazen attack in recent times.
“The gunmen came suddenly and started shooting. People ran into their homes while others fled into nearby areas for safety. It was when soldiers responded that they released some of the victims and escaped with the vice chairman,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Osun State Police Command spokesmam, Abiodun Ojelabi , said security agencies had commenced a coordinated operation to rescue the abducted council official and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
He explained that the gunmen succeeded in taking Faroumbi into the forest despite pressure from security operatives.
“Yes, some unidentified gunmen stormed Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area and abducted four persons. The military engaged them, forcing them to abandon three victims.
“They eventually escaped with the vice chairman, Debo Faroumbi. The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have launched a manhunt for the suspects and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim unharmed,” she said.
The incident has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Osun State, particularly in border communities where cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed groups have become a growing challenge.
Residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and deploy additional personnel to vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction, while security operatives continued search-and-rescue operations in the surrounding forests.
The latest incident comes amid increasing concerns about security in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with stakeholders urging authorities to ensure the safety of residents and public officials across all local government areas.
