Terror in Ogun as gunmen abduct three family members in night raid

Suspected bandits on Monday evening invaded a residential estate in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, abducting three members of the same family in a brazen attack that has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in parts of the state.

The gunmen, said to be about 15 in number and heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed Ipojo Golden Estate located in the Oke-Eri area of the town around 7 p.m. Residents said the attackers forcefully gained access to one of the buildings within the estate before whisking away the victims to an unknown destination.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday through its spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who said investigations had commenced to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

According to residents familiar with the incident, the attackers arrived suddenly and operated for several minutes without resistance, creating panic among occupants of the estate. Witnesses said the armed men overpowered security measures in the area before invading the targeted residence.

Sources disclosed that after gaining entry into the house, the gunmen reportedly ransacked several parts of the building in search of valuables before taking away the three victims believed to be members of the same family.

The identities of the abducted persons had yet to be officially released as of the time of filing this report, but residents described the incident as one of the most disturbing security breaches recorded in the area in recent times.

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Some residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said the sound of gunshots and commotion threw the neighbourhood into confusion, forcing many people to remain indoors for fear of being attacked.

A resident of the estate said the incident had exposed growing fears about the vulnerability of residential communities despite the presence of private security arrangements.

“We were terrified because nobody expected such an attack in this environment. The gunmen came in large numbers and carried dangerous weapons. Everyone ran for safety,” the resident said.

The latest abduction adds to a growing list of kidnapping incidents reported across different parts of the country, where criminal gangs increasingly target homes, highways and communities for ransom operations.

Although Ogun State has largely avoided the scale of banditry witnessed in some northern states, security experts have repeatedly warned that criminal networks are spreading into new territories amid economic hardship and gaps in local security coordination.

The police spokesperson assured residents that security operatives had launched efforts to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.

Babaseyi urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing investigations.

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Authorities have yet to confirm whether contact had been established with the abductors or if any ransom demand had been made.

Meanwhile, the attack has triggered renewed calls for stronger security surveillance across residential estates and communities in Ogun State, especially in areas considered vulnerable to criminal infiltration.

Residents are also demanding increased police patrols and improved emergency response mechanisms to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among members of the public.