Gunmen on Monday evening launched a violent attack in Ora, a border community between Osun and Kwara States, resulting in the abduction of retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi. The incident sent shockwaves through the area as terrified residents fled in multiple directions while the assailants made their escape into the surrounding bush.
Okay News reports that the victim’s wife, Titilayo Owolabi, recounted the harrowing ordeal, explaining that the attack occurred just a few minutes before 7:00 p.m. in front of their residence on Akisa Road, Ora.
Titilayo revealed, “When I closed my shop around 6:30 p.m., my husband came around and asked me to go home. When I got home, I cooked and was about to serve my children their food when I heard a gunshot. I initially thought the shots were from hunters who sometimes come around, but the gunshots became sporadic. Later, I heard my husband’s voice outside our fence.”
She continued, “I did not know he was being held by bandits. I went out to check what was happening. One of the gunmen jumped over the fence into our compound. Those I saw were young boys. I knelt down and spoke Hausa to him because they were speaking Hausa. Instead of responding, he started beating me. He asked me for money. While all this was going on, they were firing shots. The next thing I heard was the sound of a motorcycle conveying my husband towards the bush. The two gunmen in our compound then jumped over the fence into the bush and fled. My husband is a retired Customs officer. People should help us bring him back home safely.”
Sources in the community further disclosed that while fleeing, the gunmen shot dead a village chief, identified only as Dennis, who was returning from his farm.
Confirming the attack, Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said, “Immediately the incident happened yesterday, police operatives and other volunteers chased after the gunmen. We are working hard to rescue the victim. One person was shot, but not within Osun. Where they killed him falls within Kwara State.”
