Residents of Oba community in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed for urgent government intervention following a fresh attack by armed bandits who killed a forest guard and abducted his wife on Wednesday night.

The attack, which occurred at about 8:00 p.m., threw the community into shock and mourning. The slain forest guard, Raimi Ogunrinde, was among the recently deployed guards by the Kwara State Government to strengthen grassroots security.

Community sources who spoke with The Guardian in separate telephone interviews said the gunmen stormed the town in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. Ogunrinde was shot dead during the attack, while his wife was abducted and remains in captivity.

Speaking tearfully, Ogunrinde’s daughter, Kafayat, said the family heard from the kidnappers in the early hours of Thursday.

“We just heard from them this morning. They are asking for ₦100 million. I can’t explain this. I’m finished. I need help,” she cried.

According to residents, there was no contact from the abductors until the ransom demand was made, leaving the family devastated and scrambling for support.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional ruler, the President of the Oba Development Association (ODA), Pastor Sunday

Oladiji, described the incident as heartbreaking and a severe blow to the town’s local security architecture.

He said the late Ogunrinde was one of the dedicated forest guards protecting the community against banditry and terrorism before his “unfortunate and untimely death.”

Oladiji lamented the worsening security situation across the state and appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene urgently.

“Our community is in deep pain. We have lost one of our brave sons who stood at the frontline to protect us. His wife is still in captivity, and the entire town is in mourning. We are appealing to the Governor to come to our rescue. We cannot do this alone,” he said.

He also urged security agencies to intensify operations in the area and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted woman, noting that the morale of local security volunteers has been badly affected.

Another community source, who requested anonymity, said the attack appeared to be well-planned.

“It was a coordinated attack aimed at eliminating key security guards, especially the recently trained ones. It could have been worse but for the help of God,” the source said.

The source expressed frustration over what he described as a delayed security response, alleging that soldiers arrived late and left without pursuing the attackers into the surrounding forest.

“Only God can help us now. The soldiers did not enter the bush. Only the local vigilantes are left with the task,” he lamented.

Residents suspect the attack may be linked to an earlier kidnapping incident in the community. Prior to Wednesday’s invasion, five Hausa youths living in the town were reportedly abducted, with two later released.

According to another source, one of the released victims was allegedly offered a mobile phone by the kidnappers and pressured to act as an informant.

“After scrutiny by the vigilantes, it was discovered he was being recruited as an informant. He was chased out of town. A few days later, the bandits struck. We suspect a connection,” the source said.

Although there is no official confirmation linking the incidents, residents say the sequence has heightened fear and suspicion.

The killing of Ogunrinde marks the second fatal attack on forest guards in recent weeks. Another guard, Omotosho Olawuyi Samuel, was recently killed during a gun duel between security operatives and terrorists in Koro community, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting to the incident, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the attack.

“The police and vigilantes mobilised with the support of soldiers to the community. Unfortunately, one young man was shot dead and his wife abducted,” she said.

She assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the kidnapped woman and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The Divisional Police Officer has been directed to intensify security presence in the area. His men are on constant alert,” she added.

It was gathered that the Chairman of Isin Local Government, Hon. Benjamin Lanre Jolayemi, has been briefed on the situation as the council’s Chief Security Officer. However, residents said no visible government intervention had been seen as of the time of filing this report.

Although calm is gradually returning to Oba community, fear still lingers, with residents wary of moving freely or resuming normal activities.

Once peaceful, the community now mourns a fallen protector while anxiously praying for the safe return of a woman still in captivity. (The Guardian)

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