There was panic in the Oke-Eri area of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State on Monday when gun-toting men stormed the community and abducted three persons.

The no-fewer than 15 bandits invaded the area around 7 p.m., forced their way into a house in Ipojo Golden Estate, and abducted a man and two women. They shot another woman as they fled into a nearby forest with those abducted.

Some residents said the gunmen looked like herders, with one of them masked.

They were said to have failed in their attempt to break into another house.

Sources said the head of the affected family, a government employee, was away at work when the hoodlums struck.

A community leader in the estate described the incident as disturbing and unprecedented, saying residents never imagined that such could happen in a peaceful and developed community.

He called on the Ogun State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts at securing the area and ensuring the rescue of the abductees.

“We were completely taken by surprise. Nobody anticipated this kind of incident in our community,” he said.

Also speaking, a family head, Mr. Yesiru Badewa, said the abduction had thrown his family into distress.

He said one of the kidnapped women was ill, expressing fears that the harsh conditions in captivity could worsen her health.

Badewa appealed to the government, security agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to assist in securing the victims’ release.

The incident has created fear within the community, with many residents expressing concerns over their safety. They have restricted their movement to within the area.

Sources confirmed that the police visited the community shortly after the incident. Residents however claimed that there had been no official update as of the time of filing this report.

Family members said the kidnappers had made no contact or demanded ransom. (The Nation)