Gunmen, suspected to be Fulani, have abducted a resident identified as Mohammed Jubril in Ago Igbira settlement in Osun State.
According to a resident of the village, who pleaded anonymity for fear of harassment, the 30-year-old Jubril was abducted by about eight men carrying weapons in the early hours of Wednesday, who whisked him to an unknown location.
The resident also said before Jubril was abducted, some villagers had engaged the attackers in a gun duel during which a resident, Hassan Jubril, was injured.
He said, “The gunshots woke many villagers as some villagers engaged the gunmen, who are Fulani. A villager, Hassan Jubril was injured. The perpetrators later abducted Mohammed Jubril and took him towards the forest along Osun/Kwara boundary.
“Police, men of Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, Amotekun Corps, and some other volunteers are already combing the forest.”
Police spokesperson in the state, Yemisi Opalola, when contacted, confirmed the incident.
She said, “On Wednesday around 7am, one Seriki Fulani, Mohammed Kajibo ‘m’ reported that unknown gunmen numbering eight gunmen suspected to be Fulanis attacked Ago Igbira, a Fulani settlement between 11pm of April 11, 2023, and 12am of April 12, 2023, and kidnapped one Mohammed Jubril ‘m’ aged 30 years.
“One Hassan Jubril ‘m’ was injured during shoot out.
“Immediately the incident was reported, police in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force swung into action and combed the whole area, where three expended shells of AK47 rifle and cartridges were recovered from the scene.
“Meanwhile the combined teams of Police and CJF are combing the bush to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.”
