Gunmen abduct three; shoot woman in night raid on Ijebu Ode estate

Residents of Ipojo Golden Estate in Oke-Eri area of Ijebu Ode were thrown into panic on Monday evening after suspected kidnappers stormed the community, abducting three persons and shooting a woman during the attack.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred around 7 p.m. when more than 15 heavily armed men invaded the estate, firing gunshots indiscriminately and causing chaos among residents. The attackers reportedly forced their way into a residence, ransacked the building, and whisked away two women and a man before escaping into a nearby forest.

A woman was shot as the assailants fled the scene. Her condition was not immediately disclosed as of press time.

Residents claimed that most of the gunmen appeared to be of Fulani extraction and operated without masks, making no attempt to conceal their identities. The head of the affected household was said to be away on official duty at the time of the invasion.

The armed men reportedly attempted to break into another house within the estate but were unsuccessful.

Describing the development as “disturbing and unprecedented,” a community leader called on the Ogun State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and restore calm in the area.

Speaking on behalf of the affected family, the Head of the Badewa Family, Yesiru Badewa, expressed deep concern over the condition of one of the abducted women, who he said was ill at the time of the incident. He warned that her health could deteriorate if urgent action was not taken.

Police officers visited the scene shortly after the attack to assess the situation. However, as of Tuesday, family members confirmed that the kidnappers had not established contact or made any ransom demands.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Boluwatife Babaseyi, said tactical and intelligence-driven operations had been launched to track down the suspects, rescue the victims, and bring those responsible to justice.

Security operatives are said to be combing surrounding forests and strategic locations as investigations continue.