₦airaland Forum

A violent kidnapping incident in Okuta, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, has left three people dead, including a prominent businessman, a local vigilante, and one of the suspected kidnappers.

A source told SaharaReporters that gunmen, suspected to be of Fulani origin, stormed the residence of Alhaji Dauda Ismaila—a respected businessman and farmer—around 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22.

The source said that the attackers fired several rounds into the air to create panic before abducting Alhaji Dauda and fleeing into the surrounding forest.

According to the source, local vigilantes immediately launched a rescue mission, tracking the kidnappers deep into the bush.

However, a fierce gun battle ensued during the confrontation.

"One of the kidnappers was shot and killed, but tragically, Alhaji Dauda was caught in the crossfire and died at the scene. A vigilante officer involved in the rescue effort also lost his life," the source said.

"The joint task force is continuing its manhunt for the remaining assailants, vowing to leave no stone unturned."

This latest tragedy is part of a disturbing pattern. On May 31, a resident of the nearby Shiya community was abducted and only released after a ransom was paid.

In February, another kidnapping attempt left Alhaji Fatai Olowogbo dead from gunshot wounds.

Residents say kidnappings now occur every few weeks, and fear has become a part of daily life. Community leaders are urgently calling on the government to boost security and end the growing wave of violence.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Police Command, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Omooba77:
This is getting out of hands, Kwara used to be the most peaceful state, hence the name, harmony state, Nlfpmod......

temitope27:
ibaripa land is never peaceful, only the Yoruba land is peaceful in kwara state

agulion:
We don't tell ourselves truth in this country fulanis seems above the law in this country anyway let there madness better stop in the north, we can't tolerate them in the SW or anywhere near yoruba Muslims

PlasmaTV:
There used to be a few communal clashes here and there, but never this full blown insecurity.

alpharoyalty:
Only a united southern and middle belt Nigeria can defeat the dreaded killer fulani herdsmen... But you know it can never happen because of one tribe in southern Nigeria.

dynicks:
The country is gradually fading away to lawlessness and a dog-eat-dog situation....

temitope27:
it's like that for years, likewise in plateau,kogi and Benue for more than 20 years, but it doesn't get to the media, that's it

iwaeda:
Egbon, ekale, this is different from Agbeola, I saw it earlier, I didn't bothered, thinking it was same story. God will save Kwara.

PlasmaTV:
As I said, there's been insecurity but never on this massive wide blown scale chief. Never.