Suspected bandits have abducted three residents of Ora-Igbomina, a border community in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, with two of the victims later rescued by security operatives.
The traditional ruler of the community, the Asa’Ooni of Ora-Igbomina, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Johnson Adekanmi Abikoye, disclosed this during a telephone interview with AMILOADED on Wednesday.
According to the monarch, the incident occurred on Tuesday night around the Gaa-Fulani area in Papa, Ora-Igbomina.
Oba Abikoye said officials of the Osun Amotekun Corps alerted him to the attack between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., prompting him to immediately contact security agencies, including the military, police and other relevant authorities.
He explained that before security operatives arrived at the scene, the kidnappers had already abducted three persons identified as Hon. Debo Faroubi, the All Progressives Congress, APC Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, Mary Bamigboye, and a Fulani woman.
The monarch said the victims were taken into a nearby forest by the armed men.
He, however, stated that the swift intervention of Nigerian soldiers led to the rescue of the two female victims after security personnel engaged the abductors.
According to him, Hon. Faroubi remains in captivity, while security agencies have intensified efforts to secure his release.
Oba Abikoye said operatives of the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Amotekun Corps and forest guards are currently combing the forest in search of the remaining victim.
The monarch further disclosed that two suspected Bororo herders were arrested in the forest by members of the Iru Ekun security outfit.
He said the suspects were subsequently handed over to security agencies for interrogation.
According to him, the suspects were brought to the palace shortly after their arrest before being transferred to the police and military authorities for further investigation.
He said, “I was in the palace yesterday between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. when some Amotekun officials rushed to my palace to report an incident of banditry around the Gaa-Fulani area of Papa in Ora-Igbomina. Immediately, I tried to get in touch with the soldiers’ leader, the team leader, and the DPO, and I informed them. But before they could arrive at the scene, three people had already been kidnapped: Hon. Debo Faroubi, who is the current Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, Mary Bamigboye, and another Fulani woman.
“The three of them were led into the bush. However, due to the quick intervention of the Nigerian soldiers, the two women were rescued. When they engaged the kidnappers, they were able to rescue the two ladies. But the man, Hon. Debo Faroubi, is still with them.
“Presently, the soldiers, Amotekun, forest guards, the police, and the DSS are making efforts to ensure that the other victim is rescued. The forest in that area is currently being combed.
“Also, the Iru Ekun has arrested two Bororo men in the forest, and they have been handed over to the police and the soldiers for interrogation. They were arrested less than an hour ago. The Iru Ekun formed by Sunday Igboho’s people, arrested them and brought them to the palace. We then called the soldiers and the DPO, and they are now being taken away for interrogation.”
All efforts to get the reaction of the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer proved abortive as of press time, as his phone number was unreachable and he had yet to respond to the message sent to his WhatsApp line by our correspondent.
Ora-Igbomina is one of the communities in Osun State that shares a boundary with Kwara State.
