The Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area in Osun State, Mr. Debo Farounbi, has been abducted by armed men during an attack on Ora, a border community between Osun and Kwara States.
The incident occurred around 10pm on Tuesday when gunmen invaded the community, firing shots into the air and causing widespread panic among residents.
According to reports, Farounbi was kidnapped alongside three other individuals during the attack.
Security operatives, including military personnel and local vigilante groups stationed in the area, reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, managing to rescue three of the abducted victims. However, the gunmen escaped with the council vice chairman.
Residents said the attackers operated in large numbers and shot sporadically while moving through the community. One resident, who requested anonymity, said the victims were forced toward a nearby forest during the attack.
The source added that heavy resistance from security forces disrupted the operation, leading to the release of three captives while Farounbi was taken away.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said security agencies responded immediately after receiving distress alerts.
He explained that joint security teams, including the police and military, had launched efforts to rescue the abducted official.
Ojelabi, however, noted that investigations were still ongoing to determine the full nature of the attack.
Meanwhile, the incident has heightened fear in Ora community, which has experienced repeated cases of abductions in recent months.
Residents expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area, calling for a stronger security presence to prevent further attacks.
Community members recalled previous incidents, including the abduction of a retired customs officer in December 2025 and another attack in February 2026, both of which also occurred around the boundary axis linking Osun and Kwara States.
Local leaders have urged authorities to urgently reinforce security in the area, warning that continued attacks could force more residents to abandon the community.