Panic swept through Ora Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State on Monday night after armed bandits launched a violent attack that left the community leader of non-indigenes dead and a former customs officer, Mr. Emmanuel Owolabi, abducted from his home.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the town in large numbers, firing multiple gunshots and taking control of the area for several hours. The ancient town, located near the borders of Kwara and Ekiti States, was thrown into chaos as residents ran for safety, leaving homes and property behind in fear of further abductions.
“The bandits came in large numbers and were heavily armed,” said one resident who spoke under condition of anonymity. “They fired shots everywhere, and people were running in all directions. We had never seen anything like this before.”
The violence was concentrated in Akisa and neighboring areas, leaving many residents shaken and discussing the attack in small, fearful groups. Local security guards and community vigilantes reportedly tried to repel the attackers but were overpowered by the bandits’ superior weaponry.
High Chief Isaac Fadipe, the Inurin of Ora Igbomina land, confirmed the attack, stating that members of the Amotekun Corps, local hunters, and vigilantes were combing nearby forests to track the bandits and secure the release of the abducted former customs officer.
“This is a serious security breach,” Chief Fadipe said. “We are now living in perpetual fear, and we want the government to act fast. The people need protection, and the town must be fortified with additional security personnel to prevent future attacks.”
The Osun State Police Command confirmed that additional personnel had been deployed to the area. Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Abiodun Ojelabi said that police operatives, along with volunteers, immediately pursued the attackers after the incident.
“One individual was shot during the attack,” Ojelabi said, “though the fatality occurred across the border in Kwara State. We are working hard to rescue the abducted victim and bring all culprits to justice.”
The attack in Ora Igbomina is part of a worrying trend of increasing banditry and kidnappings in Nigeria’s South-West and border communities. While the North-West states like Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna have long battled armed bandits, recent months have seen a spread of violent criminal activity to parts of the South-West, including border towns in Osun, Ekiti, and Kwara states.
Experts say these attacks often target communities near forested areas and poorly secured borders, where bandits can operate with relative ease. The goal is usually ransom, but in some cases, they also result in deaths and widespread destruction, creating long-term insecurity for local populations.
The abduction of Mr. Emmanuel Owolabi, a former customs officer, has heightened fears that bandits are now deliberately targeting former or current government officials, likely to extract higher ransoms or gain leverage in negotiations. Although the police are actively pursuing the kidnappers, residents fear that the response may not be fast enough to prevent further attacks.
Community leaders have urged Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke to intervene quickly and increase the deployment of security personnel in the area. They also called for coordinated operations with neighboring states, particularly Kwara, to prevent bandits from using cross-border routes to evade capture.
“The attackers did not respect any boundaries,” one community leader said. “They killed, they abducted, and they left. The only way to stop this is for the government to take urgent action and ensure security across all border communities.”
The Federal Government has previously stated that it is committed to fighting banditry and kidnapping nationwide. Agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Civil Defence Corps have carried out joint operations in several high-risk areas. However, insecurity persists in remote communities due to the vast terrain, limited resources, and the mobility of the criminal groups.
Security analysts note that incidents like the attack in Ora Igbomina not only cause immediate fear and panic but also disrupt local economies. Farmers abandon their farms, traders close their shops, and daily life grinds to a halt, further exacerbating poverty and social instability in affected areas.
The Osun State Police Command has promised to step up intelligence gathering, deploy more personnel, and coordinate with neighboring states to prevent further attacks. Meanwhile, community leaders have encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.
As the search for the abducted former customs officer continues, the attack has drawn nationwide attention, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat banditry in both northern and southwestern Nigeria.
For Ora Igbomina residents, the attack is a stark reminder of the fragility of security in rural communities. Many now fear leaving their homes after dark, while parents worry about the safety of their children, and traders remain hesitant to operate openly.
High Chief Fadipe reiterated the community’s call for urgent government action, stating that without strong and sustained security measures, towns like Ora Igbomina remain highly vulnerable to repeated attacks.
“The lives and property of our people matter,” he said. “We cannot continue to live under fear. We urge the government to act now before more innocent lives are lost.”
As police and vigilantes continue to comb the forests for the attackers, residents pray for the safe return of Mr. Owolabi and hope that this incident will prompt stronger and faster security responses in Osun State and neighboring areas.