Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
There was palpable tension in Koka Village in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State when some gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded the neighbourhood in an attempt to kidnap some residents.
Three residents of the Village have reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during a gun duel with some of the suspected Fulani herdsmen.
It was gathered that the gunmen attacked the residents of the community that shares boundaries with the Osun State University, Osogbo campus and ordered them to march out of their various houses.
A resident of the community who craved anonymity told our correspondent that the gunmen were Fulani herdsmen and that they stormed their community around 11:00pm on Sunday.
The source revealed that immediately the gunmen, numbering eight, arrived, they ordered residents to march out of their houses while leading them towards the bush in the locality.
It was learnt that while the residents were being taken to the bush, one of them veered off the line, unknown to the gunmen and put a telephone call to the Hunters Group of Nigeria in the state.
On receiving the distressed call, the hunters were said to have arrived the village and foiled the kidnap attempt.
“We were at home around 9pm when we suddenly heard gunshots. We were so afraid until we started hearing a command that we should come outside our houses. We obeyed. I counted about eight men that look and speak like Fulani herdsmen.
“While leading us to the bush, we were many so I couldn’t count. We heard another gunshot from behind. At this point, these Fulani people left us where we were. It was later we learned that one of us escaped and called some hunters who came to rescue us,” a source said.
The Police confirmed the attempted abduction of the villagers, adding that three villagers and hunters sustained bullet wounds during the attack.
The Osun Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed that some hunters and villagers mobilised themselves and engaged the suspected Fulani herdsmen in a gun duel before their freedom.
“Some hoodlums suspected to be herdsmen attacked Koka village in Obokun Local Government Area and attempted to abduct some villagers. Consequently, villagers and hunters mobilised and engaged the hoodlums in a firefight and liberated themselves.
“Three villagers and hunters sustained bullet wounds during the rescue operation. Victims are responding to treatment at Asubiaro State Hospital in Osogbo. Police drafted officers to join the locals in search of the fleeing gunmen,” Opalola said.
The leader of the Hunters Group of Nigeria in the state, Mr A. K. Odetode, also confirmed the attempted kidnap and shooting of residents.
He said some bullets shell casings that were found at the scene of the attack had been handed over to the Police.