The two abducted women are feared to have been transported to a forest area around Igbaja, Oke-Ode, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
Kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N30million for the safe return of two women abducted early Sunday morning in Igbaja, in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
It was gathered that the women were taken by armed assailants, suspected to be herdsmen, during the raid.
However, one managed to escape and has since alerted the authorities and community members.
The two abducted women are feared to have been transported to a forest area around Igbaja, Oke-Ode, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
PUNCH reports that Femi Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, announced on Thursday that the kidnappers of two women contacted their families, demanding a ransom of N30 million for their release.
Yusuf stated that efforts are underway to search the forest for the victims and their abductors, emphasising that both the state and local governments are committed to securing their freedom.
“The information I received from the families is that the kidnappers are demanding N30million for their release,” Yusuf said.
He said, “Currently, soldiers, police, and local vigilantes are in the forest searching for the victims and possibly the kidnappers.”
Yusuf also expressed his sorrow over the death of Chief Lukman Balogun, the Jagun of Igbaja land, who had been leading the local vigilante team in the search for the kidnapped women.
He noted that the loss of the vigilante commander had significantly impacted the community.
“We are still mourning the late Jagun, who is my uncle in Igbaja. We will do everything in our power, in collaboration with the state government and security agencies, to apprehend the kidnappers who have been terrorising our people,” he added.
On Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that Chief Lukman Balogun, a prominent vigilantes commander popularly known as "Jagun," was killed during a gun battle with suspected Fulani herdsmen in Igbaja community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The confrontation occurred on Monday evening during an operation to rescue three individuals who had been kidnapped by the herdsmen.
It was gathered that Jagun was tracking the kidnappers, who had previously abducted a prominent Igbaja resident, when he was killed on the Ogele-Yaaru road.
The three kidnap victims, whose identities remain undisclosed, were still held by their captors at the time of the incident.
Local sources confirmed that Jagun, who was reverred for his leadership in community security, was shot during a fierce exchange of gunfire.
He said Jagun’s death had left a significant void in the local vigilante group, and many mourn the loss of a man who risked his life for the safety of others.
The source added that tensions had been high in the area due to recent incidents involving suspected herdsmen, with communities calling for enhanced security measures.
Meanwhile, hundreds of residents from the community stormed the palace of the Elese of Igbaja to express their anger and grief over the killing of Jagun and the abduction of several residents.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, some of the protesters voiced that they no longer wanted Bororo people in their community.
"We are at the palace of the Elese — women, men, young, and elderly people — and we are saying we don't want them in our community anymore.
"They have killed Jagun, the grand local commander of Ifelodun. They have killed him, and our lives are no longer safe since the person who was fighting the criminals is now dead," one of the protesters said.