A wave of fear swept through the community of Idogun in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State in the early hours of Friday as armed men believed to be bandits launched a brazen midnight assault, destroying property and abducting a nine-year-old boy identified as the son of a local pastor. The attack, which occurred around 1:30 am, targeted the residence of the clergyman in the Ugbosi Quarters, leaving residents scrambling for safety as sporadic gunfire echoed through the neighborhood.
According to reports filed with the state police command by residents Olaosebikan Isaac and Joel Owalekan, the armed assailants stormed the area with brute force, firing indiscriminately to instill panic. The attackers specifically forced their way into the home of Pastor Olaosebikan Isaac. Faced with an immediate threat to his life, the pastor was reportedly left with no choice but to flee into the surrounding bush, a desperate act that tragically resulted in his young son, Victor, falling into the hands of the kidnappers. In a separate but related incident nearby, the home of Mr. Joel Owalekan was also vandalized by the same group as they attempted to gain entry, though Mr. Owalekan managed to escape unharmed.
In response to the distressing incident, which was officially reported to the police at approximately 2:30 am, security forces were swiftly mobilized. The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed that the Divisional Police Officer, in a coordinated effort with the Ondo State Security Network Agency known as Amotekun, immediately deployed teams to the scene. The security operation has since shifted into a high-stakes search and rescue mission, with operatives combing the dense forests and suspected escape routes in and around Idogun in an attempt to locate the abducted child before he can be moved further into hiding.
DSP Abayomi assured the public that the police command is leaving no stone unturned, having directed all tactical teams and intelligence units to intensify their efforts toward the safe rescue of the nine-year-old victim. While authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the specific motive for the abduction, investigations have commenced, and relevant exhibits have reportedly been recovered from the scene of the attack. Security analysts note that this incident adds to growing concerns about the infiltration of banditry into southern communities, a trend that has historically been more prevalent in the northern parts of the country.
The police have appealed to residents of Ose Local Government Area and the wider Ondo State populace to remain calm but vigilant. Citizens with any credible or actionable information regarding the whereabouts of the abducted child or the suspects are encouraged to report to the nearest police station immediately. As local vigilante groups join the formal security apparatus in the search, the community remains on edge, holding onto hope for the safe return of the young boy who was snatched from his father’s home in the dead of night.
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