Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community

Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community

Fear has gripped residents of Ipojo Golden Estate in the Oke-Eri area of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, after suspected gunmen abducted three members of the same family during a violent attack on the community.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on Monday when about 15 heavily armed men stormed the estate, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers invaded a family residence, ransacked the house and abducted three family members before fleeing into a nearby forest.

A woman was also reportedly shot during the attack and is currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said tactical and intelligence operations had been intensified to rescue the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.

“The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the incident at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, Ijebu Ode, and has intensified tactical and intelligence operations to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The command remains proactive and committed to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state,” he stated.

Sources within the community disclosed that the head of the affected family, said to be a government employee, was away at his duty post when the gunmen invaded the residence.

The abducted victims were identified as two women and one man, all members of the Badewa family in Ijebu Ode.

Speaking on the incident, the head of the family, Mr Yesiru Badewa, expressed deep concern over the condition of one of the abducted women, who was reportedly ill before the attack.

“We are deeply worried because one of the women is sick, and the hardship in captivity may worsen her condition,” he said.

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Badewa appealed to the Ogun State Government, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to support efforts aimed at rescuing the victims safely.

Residents of the estate also lamented that the incident had heightened fear across the community, with many now afraid to move around freely or carry out their daily activities.

A community leader, Mr Kehinde, described the attack as shocking, noting that the estate had long been considered peaceful and secure.

“We never imagined such an incident could happen in this community. Residents were caught unawares because this is considered a peaceful and developed area,” he said.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the rising wave of kidnapping in Ogun State, especially in agrarian communities across Ijebuland.

Residents and local farmers have repeatedly warned about increasing activities of armed gangs operating around forest corridors in Ogun communities.

Recently, fish farmers in the area raised the alarm over worsening insecurity and appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to strengthen security across the region.

The farmers cited the recent abduction of a fish farmer, Adams Omamegbe, alongside four women who visited his farm at Alayo Fish Farm Cluster in Agoro, Odogbolu Local Government Area.

According to community sources, the victims were allegedly released only after a ransom of N70 million was paid to the kidnappers.

The incident has further heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom fear that criminal gangs are expanding operations across parts of Ogun State.

Security experts have also warned that kidnappers are increasingly targeting rural settlements and farming communities where security presence is limited.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tracking down the kidnappers and rescuing the victims

Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community