Armed attackers suspected to be kidnappers stormed the Igbosi area of Idogun in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State in the early hours of Friday, vandalising two residential buildings and abducting a nine-year-old boy.
Residents said the assailants invaded the community at about 1 a.m., firing repeatedly into the air to create panic among locals. During the raid, they reportedly damaged two houses before seizing the young boy and taking him to an undisclosed location.
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The victim, identified as Oluwatobi, is the son of a local cleric, Mr. Isaac Olaosebikan.
A community source disclosed that the sound of gunfire forced many residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring settlements to avoid being caught in the attack.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security agencies had launched efforts to rescue the child and bring the culprits to justice.
According to him, the command has commenced a coordinated operation to track down the kidnappers responsible for the attack in Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun.
He explained that the matter was reported in the early hours of Friday by Mr. Isaac Olaosebikan and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of the affected area. Preliminary reports indicated that the armed men invaded the community around 1:30 a.m., firing indiscriminately and throwing residents into confusion.
During the assault, the attackers allegedly broke into the residence of Mr. Olaosebikan. In an attempt to escape, he fled into a nearby forest, leaving behind his nine-year-old son, Victor Olaosebikan, who was subsequently taken away by the gunmen.
Mr. Owalekan also reported that his home was damaged by the same group while they attempted to gain entry. He managed to escape unharmed after fleeing the scene.
The police spokesman stated that officers of the command, working alongside personnel of the Amotekun Corps, were immediately deployed to the area to begin a search-and-rescue mission.
He noted that security operatives had combed nearby forests and suspected escape routes in a determined effort to locate the abducted child and apprehend those behind the attack.
Ayanlade added that investigations were underway, while relevant evidence recovered from the scene had been documented to aid efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the perpetrators.
He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, had directed tactical squads, intelligence operatives and other security units to intensify operations aimed at securing the safe release of the victim and ensuring the arrest of those responsible.
According to him, the police are collaborating with other security agencies as well as local vigilante groups to ensure that the kidnappers are tracked down and prosecuted.
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