Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two farmers from their farms in Parubber community, located in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, sparking renewed concerns over insecurity in farming communities.
The victims were reportedly working on their farms when armed assailants stormed the area, overpowered them and dragged them into the surrounding forest.
One of the farmers who escaped the attack, Yemi Omowale, recounted the incident, stating that he and the victims were feeding animals when he noticed a masked man carrying an AK-47 rifle approaching one of the abducted farmers, identified as Adetan Adebanjo Gbemi.
According to Omowale, additional armed men suddenly emerged from different directions, forcing him to flee for safety while the attackers seized the victims.
He disclosed that a second victim, believed to be a female farmer, was also abducted during the operation, although her identity has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Omowale revealed that the kidnappers have since contacted the family of one of the victims and are demanding N100 million as ransom for their release.
The escaped farmer appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victims unharmed.
According to him, the kidnappers continue to communicate with the victim’s family regarding payment arrangements, increasing anxiety among residents of the community.
The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police Force and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the command received a report concerning the disappearance of the victims at the Oke-Igbo Divisional Headquarters.
Abayomi disclosed that a joint security operation involving police officers, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, local hunters and vigilante groups was immediately launched following the report.
According to him, search and rescue operations are ongoing, with security personnel deploying intelligence and operational resources to track down the abductors and secure the victims’ release.
The police spokesperson assured residents that efforts were being intensified to bring the perpetrators to justice and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns about attacks on farmers and rural communities in parts of the state, with stakeholders calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and livelihoods.
