Pandemonium struck at the Oke-Eri area of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state on Monday after bandits numbering over 15 invaded the community kidnapping three persons.
According to reports, the retreating bandits also shot a woman as they made their way into a nearby forest.
Eyewitnesses and family members said the bandits, who were armed with sophisticated guns, made their way into the community around 7pm, taking unsuspecting members of the community by surprise.
According to them, the bandits had striking resemblance to Fulani men and wore no mask, except for one of them. They ransacked a house belonging to the Badewas before making away with three members of the family. They also made attempt to enter another house but couldn’t gain entry.
The head of the family, a government employee, was away at his outstation workplace when the incident happened.
Community Leader of the Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, Ijebu Ode, Mr. Kehinde described the incident as highly disturbing and called for concerted efforts by government to ensure security within the axis.
According to him, members of the community had no premonitions and were surprised that such situation could occur in such a well-developed area of the state.
He called on the government and all securities agencies to immediately activate plans for safe return of the abducted persons.
The Head of the Badewa Family of Ijebu Ode, Mr. Yesiru Badewa, whose family members were kidnapped, said the ugly incident has devastated the family.
In emotional-laden voice, he narrated that two women and a man were kidnapped yesterday, expressing concerns that one of the kidnapped women was sick and the hardship could further worsen her health condition.
A visibly shaken Badewa appealed to the state government and well-meaning stakeholders to help the family in safely rescuing the kidnapped persons.
Residents lamented that the incident has caused palpable fears around the community with people now unable to go about their normal daily activities out of fear.
They called on the government to provide adequate security for the area.
