Gunmen on Monday night attacked Ora-Igbomina community in Ifedayo Local Government Area of Osun State, kidnapping a former Nigerian Customs Service officer and allegedly killing one person.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Inurin of Ora-Igbomina, High Chief Sunday Fadipe, said the attackers stormed the town at about 7:00 p.m. and headed directly to the residence of the former customs officer.

According to Fadipe, the victim was returning home when the gunmen, who had laid an ambush at his house, abducted him.

He explained that while fleeing through farmlands in the Akisa area, the assailants encountered a farmer working with a headlamp and allegedly shot him dead.

“The deceased was on his farm when the gunmen ran into him. They shot him, and it was his 10-year-old son, who was with him at the time, that ran back into the town to report the incident,” Fadipe said.

He added that the police had been notified and were already pursuing the attackers. The traditional ruler called on the government to strengthen security in the area, noting that Ora-Igbomina shares boundaries with Ekiti and Kwara states.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command had received a report of the kidnapping.

Ojelabi disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town had visited the residence of the kidnapped former customs officer to gather more details.

He described the incident as a kidnapping case, adding that the report of a killing was yet to be officially confirmed.

“Immediately we heard about the incident, our tactical teams were deployed and have been on the trail of the suspects,” he said.

“We currently have tactical teams on the ground, and with the support of forest guards, vigilantes and local security personnel, the bushes are being combed to rescue the victim.

“The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, has deployed additional tactical teams to the area, and investigations are ongoing,” Ojelabi added.