Gbenga Ilemobayo
The deteriorating security situation in Ogun State again came to the fore on Monday as bandits numbering more than 15 stormed Oke-Eri area of Ijebu Ode and kidnapped three persons.
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.
Eyewitnesses said the bandits wore no mask, except for one of them. They ransacked the entire house before making away with three members of the family.
They also made an attempt to enter another house but could not gain entry.
The head of the family, a government employee, was away at his outstation workplace when the incident happened.
A community leader at the Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, Ijebu Ode, Mr. Kehinde, described the incident as highly disturbing and called for concerted efforts by the government to ensure security within the axis.
According to him, members of the community had no premonitions and were surprised that such an incident 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 the 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 had devastated the family.
In an emotional-laden voice, he narrated that two women and a man were kidnapped, expressing concerns that one of the kidnapped women was sick and the hardship could further worsen her health condition.
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 had caused palpable fear 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.
