Gunmen Abduct Ifedayo LG Vice Chairman in Ora Border Attack

By Olatunji Adesina

Gunmen have attacked Ora, a boundary community along the Osun/Kwara State border, and abducted the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, Osun State, Hon. Debo Farounbi.

Farounbi was reportedly taken around 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday alongside three other people. The attackers shot sporadically into the air, causing panic among residents before targeting their main victim.

Heavy Gunfight Marked Abduction

Military personnel and local volunteers stationed in Ora put up strong resistance, forcing the perpetrators to abandon three of the four people they initially abducted. The gunmen fled with Farounbi after a heavy gunfight.

A resident who pleaded anonymity for security reasons told reporters that the attackers “successfully moved those abducted in the town towards the bush.” The resident confirmed: “Four people, two Fulani women and two men including the Ifedayo Local Government Vice Chairman, Debo Farounbi were abducted. But the resistance put up by the military made the perpetrators abandon three people. They went away with Farounbi”.

“Our people did not sleep throughout the night. We are in serious fear,” the resident added.

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Police Confirm Incident

Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident when contacted. “One person was abducted. He is a local government Vice Chairman, Hon Debo Farounbi. Immediately the incident happened, the military, police and others responded. Efforts are in place to rescue the man. It is abduction until we are able to prove that it is a case of kidnapping,” Ojelabi stated.

Third Abduction in Seven Months

Farounbi’s abduction marks the third similar incident in Ora within the last seven months.

• December 2025: Retired Customs officer Emmanuel Owolabi was abducted by suspected bandits in Ora. He was released after almost four weeks in captivity following payment of an undisclosed ransom.
• February 1, 2026: Suspected bandits invaded Ora through the Kwara boundary, abducting two other residents. They were released after approximately four weeks in captivity.

Residents Fear for Safety

Local residents have called for stronger security presence to prevent further invasions of the town. A community leader identified as Thomas and market leader Mrs. Alarape expressed concerns that more residents may flee.

“People are leaving the town. And more people may leave unless something urgent is done to secure us. The invaders are coming through our boundary with Kwara State,” Alarape said.

The recurring security breaches along the Osun-Kwara border have raised alarm among community leaders about the effectiveness of current security measures in the area.