Armed bandits have demanded N100 million ransom to release the wife of a forest guard killed during a deadly attack on Oba community in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The gunmen invaded the community around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, shooting dead Raimi Ogunrinde, a forest guard recently deployed by the Kwara State Government to strengthen security in the area, and abducting his wife.
The family said they only heard from the kidnappers in the early hours of Thursday when the ransom demand was made.
“We just heard from them this morning. They are asking for N100,000,000. I can’t explain this. I’m finished. I need help,” the deceased’s daughter, Kafayat, said in tears.
Residents described the attack as coordinated and deliberate, alleging that the assailants targeted key local security personnel.
Ogunrinde was said to have been among the committed guards protecting the community against banditry before his “unfortunate and untimely demise.”
Speaking on behalf of the traditional ruler, the President of the Oba Development Association (ODA), Pastor Sunday Oladiji, said the killing had thrown the entire community into mourning.
“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 has been thrown into mourning. We are appealing to the Governor to please come to our rescue. We cannot do this alone,” Oladiji stated.
Another community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation appeared carefully planned.
“It was a coordinated attack aimed at eliminating key security guards, especially the recently trained ones in the community. It could have been worse but for the help of God,” the source said.
The source also expressed frustration over what he described as a slow security response.
“As it is, only God can help us. The soldiers didn’t bother to enter the bush. Only the local vigilantes are left with the task,” he lamented.
Residents believe the latest attack may be linked to an earlier kidnapping incident in the town in which five Hausa youths were abducted. Two of the victims were later released, and one was allegedly approached to serve as an informant for the bandits.
“After serious scrutiny by the vigilantes, it was discovered that he was offered the chance to serve as an informant to the bandits. The boy was eventually chased out of the town. Unfortunately, a few days later, the bandits struck. We suspect there is a connection somewhere,” another source said.
Although there is no official confirmation linking the two incidents, the sequence of events has heightened fear and suspicion among residents.
The killing of Ogunrinde marks the second fatal attack on forest guards in Kwara State in recent weeks. Another guard, Omotosho Olawuyi Samuel, was recently killed during a gun duel between security operatives and bandits in Koro community of Ekiti Local Government Area.
Confirming the latest incident, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said security agencies mobilised immediately after receiving the report.
“The police and the vigilantes mobilized the company of the soldiers to that community. Unfortunately, they shot dead one young man and his wife was whisked away,” she said.
She assured that “efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped and bring the perpetrators to book.”
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area had been directed to intensify security presence.
“He has ordered his personnel to be on guard in that community,” she stated.
While the Chairman of Isin Local Government Area, Benjamin Lanre Jolayemi, has reportedly been briefed, residents say they are still awaiting visible government intervention.
Though normalcy is gradually returning to Oba community, fear continues to linger as residents mourn the loss of a local security volunteer and hope for the safe return of his wife.