*Father Flees As Gunmen Abduct Nine-year-old Son
THE Ondo State Government has expressed deep concern over the reported attack on Igbosi community of Idogun, in Ose Local Council and the abduction of a nine-year-old boy, urging calm as security agencies were already on top of the situation.
A report by one Ado Oyeyemi said residents of Ugbosi were thrown into panic in the early hours of Friday, June 5, when armed men stormed the community and abducted the boy during a midnight attack.
The victim, identified as Olaosebikan Victor, was reportedly whisked away by the gunmen who invaded his family’s residence about 1:30a.m., firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee in direct directions for safety.
His father, Olaosebikan Isaac, who escaped into a nearby bush after the assailants broke into the premises, prompting the gunmen to seized the boy before fleeing to an unknown destination.
Another resident, Joel Owalekan, whose house was also attacked, escaped unharmed after fleeing when the armed men attempted to force their way into his residence.
Police authorities said the Divisional Police Officer in the area, alongside personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, immediately mobilised to the community and launched a search-and-rescue operation, combing surrounding forests and suspected escape routes in an effort to locate the abducted child and apprehend the perpetrators.
The state Police Command said investigations had commenced, while exhibits recovered from the scene were being analysed to aid efforts to track down those behind the attack.
State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had directed tactical units, intelligence operatives and other security formations to intensify efforts towards rescuing the victim and arresting the kidnappers, as well as ordered enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The command assured residents that all available resources were being deployed to secure the child’s safe return, urging the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
On its part, the state government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, confirmed that immediately it was informed of the development, a coordinated security response was activated, involving personnel of the Amotekun Corps, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the military and have been combing the community, surrounding forests and other strategic locations within and beyond the area.
It assured residents that the security situation was being closely monitored and professionally managed by relevant agencies, while preliminary measures had been strengthened in the affected axis, even as intelligence gathering and search operations were ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
According to the statement: “The government urges citizens, particularly residents of Ose Local Government Area and neighbouring communities, to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security personnel.
“Members of the public are also encouraged to provide useful information that may assist ongoing operations through established security channels.
“The administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa remains unwavering in its commitment to the protection of lives and property across Ondo State. Government is confident that the ongoing joint security operation will yield positive results.
“The Ondo State Government appreciates the swift response of all security agencies involved in the operation and calls on the good people of the state to say something when they see something, but avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic, while continuing to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security throughout the state.”
