By Ismail Azeez
Anxiety has gripped Ora-Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State following the invasion of the community by suspected gunmen who abducted the Vice Chairman of the local government, Hon. Debo Faroubi.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, threw the otherwise 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 Faroubi, two Fulani 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.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, 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,” he said.