Residents of the Igbosi area of Idogun in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Friday after suspected bandits invaded the community, destroyed two buildings and abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent overnight attack.
The attackers, said to have stormed the community at about 1 a.m., reportedly fired gunshots sporadically to instill fear among residents before carrying out the operation that left many fleeing into neighbouring communities for safety.
The abducted child, identified simply as Oluwatobi, is reportedly the son of a pastor in the community, Isaac Olaosebikan.
According to sources within the community, the armed men invaded the Igbosi area in large numbers and operated for several minutes without resistance as frightened residents scampered for safety amid the sound of gunfire.
A community source explained that the attackers first unleashed terror on the area by shooting into the air before proceeding to vandalise and destroy two residential buildings during the invasion.
The source added that many residents, unable to confront the attackers, abandoned their homes in the middle of the night and escaped to nearby settlements and bushes to avoid being kidnapped or attacked.
“People were running in different directions because nobody knew the target of the attackers. The gunshots created serious panic in the community. Before anyone realised what was happening, the boy had already been taken away,” the source said.
The incident has further heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Ondo State, particularly in communities within Ose Local Government Area that have witnessed repeated cases of kidnapping and attacks by armed groups in recent years.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi, said the command had launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators and was making efforts to rescue the kidnapped boy.
In a WhatsApp message made available to journalists, the police spokesperson disclosed that the attack was formally reported in the early hours of Friday by the victim’s father and another resident of the community.
According to him, “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state.”
He explained that the incident was reported at about 2:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, by Mr. Isaac Olaosebikan and Mr. Joel Owalekan, both residents of Ugbosi Quarters in Idogun.
The police spokesperson stated that preliminary reports indicated that the armed men invaded the community around 1:30 a.m., firing sporadically and causing panic among residents before abducting the child.
He assured residents that security operatives had intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the victim.
According to him, police tactical teams and other security personnel have already been deployed to the area while investigations into the incident continue.
The latest attack has once again drawn attention to growing security challenges in rural communities across parts of Ondo State, where residents have repeatedly appealed to security agencies and government authorities for improved protection against criminal elements.
Community leaders in the area have reportedly called for increased security presence, noting that persistent attacks and kidnappings are creating fear among residents and affecting socio-economic activities.
Some residents expressed concern that continued insecurity could force more people to abandon their homes and businesses if urgent measures are not taken to curb criminal activities in the area.
The abduction of the young boy has also sparked sympathy among residents and religious groups within the community, many of whom have called for prayers and urgent intervention to secure his safe release.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no indication that the abductors had established contact with the family or made any ransom demand. Security operatives, however, said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victim unhurt and bring the perpetrators to justice.
