By Ekene Ifeora
Oluwatobi, the nine-year-old son of a pastor, has been
abducted after suspected bandits launched a frightening overnight attack on a
community in Ondo State, leaving residents running for their lives.
The incident happened in the Igbosi area of Idogun, located
in Ose Local Government Area, during the early hours of Friday.
According to residents, heavily armed men stormed the
community shortly after 1 a.m., firing gunshots into the air and across the
area. The sudden attack threw the neighbourhood into chaos, forcing many people
to flee their homes in panic. Some reportedly escaped to nearby communities and
remained there until daylight.
In the confusion, the attackers allegedly damaged two
residential buildings before abducting the young boy, who is the son of local
cleric, Isaac Olaosebikan.
Community sources said the gunmen took the child away to an
unknown location, leaving his family and neighbours devastated.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State
Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said security agencies had immediately
swung into action and were working to rescue the child.
He explained that the attack was reported to the police at
about 2:30 a.m. by the boy’s father and another resident, Joel Owalekan.
Preliminary findings showed that the armed men invaded the
area around 1:30 a.m., shooting repeatedly and creating fear across the
community.
Ayanlade said the attackers broke into the pastor’s residence.
Fearing for his life, Olaosebikan reportedly escaped into a nearby bush. Sadly,
his son was left behind and was taken away by the gunmen.
Another resident, Owalekan, also told authorities that the
same group attempted to force their way into his home and damaged parts of the
building before he managed to escape unharmed.
The police spokesperson disclosed that officers, working
alongside personnel of the Amotekun Corps, have launched a coordinated rescue
operation. Security teams are currently searching nearby forests and
surrounding routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers.
He added that investigations are ongoing, while evidence
recovered from the scene is being analysed.
Meanwhile, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu,
has directed tactical and intelligence teams to intensify efforts to rescue the
boy safely and ensure those responsible are tracked down and brought to
justice.
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