Gunmen have abducted a Fulani herdsman, Yahaya Sulaiman, in Ijebu Jesa, located in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding a ransom of N70 million for his release.
According to security sources in the community, the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday along the Iloko/Ijebu Jesa Road. The attackers were said to have arrived in the area and specifically asked residents about the whereabouts of the victim before eventually identifying and whisking him away to an unknown location.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that Sulaiman is a prominent cattle rearer and well known among Fulani settlers in the area, suggesting that the abduction may have been carefully planned. The kidnappers later contacted his family and allegedly demanded N70 million as ransom.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the victim appeared to have been deliberately targeted by the gunmen. He noted that police operatives responded after receiving reports of the attack and had commenced an investigation into the matter.
The police also appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in rescuing the victim and apprehending those behind the abduction.