Suspected bandits have abducted a nine-year-old boy and vandalised two residential buildings during an attack on Igbosi area of Idogun in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday when the armed men stormed the community, firing gunshots indiscriminately to create panic among residents before carrying out the attack.
The abducted child, identified as Oluwatobi, is the son of a local cleric, Isaac Olaosebikan.
Sources within the community said the attackers invaded the area at about 1 a.m., causing residents to flee their homes for safety. Many reportedly escaped to neighbouring communities after hearing repeated gunshots.
According to residents, the assailants damaged two buildings during the operation before abducting the boy and taking him to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers and intensified efforts to secure the victim’s release.
“The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state,” he said.
Ayanlade explained that the incident was reported at about 2:30 a.m. by Isaac Olaosebikan and another resident, Joel Owalekan.
According to him, preliminary reports indicated that the armed men invaded the community at about 1:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and throwing residents into confusion.
He said the attackers forced their way into the residence of Olaosebikan, who escaped into a nearby bush in a bid to save his life.
“During the attack, the assailants reportedly forced their way into the residence of Mr Olaosebikan Isaac. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he escaped into the surrounding bush, leaving behind his nine-year-old son, Master Olaosebikan Victor, who was subsequently abducted by the armed men,” the police spokesman stated.
Ayanlade added that Owalekan also reported that the same group attempted to break into his residence and damaged parts of the building. He, however, escaped unharmed after fleeing the scene.
The police spokesperson disclosed that operatives of the command, in collaboration with personnel of the Amotekun Corps, had been deployed to the area and had commenced a coordinated rescue operation.
He said security teams were combing nearby forests and possible escape routes in an effort to rescue the child and apprehend those behind the attack.
According to him, investigations have commenced, while relevant exhibits recovered from the scene are being examined to aid efforts to track down the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, has directed tactical units, intelligence operatives and other security teams to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victim unharmed and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Ayanlade said the command was also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the successful rescue of the abducted boy and the arrest of all those involved in the crime.