Hunters, Others Comb Osun Bushes As Herdsmen Abduct Couple On Farm

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A Nigerian couple, London and Blessing Omoru, who reside in the Agric Settlement, Esa-Oke, Osun State, have been abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen, The PUNCH reports.

According to sources in the area, the victims, said to be farmers, were abducted on their farm on Wednesday.

It was gathered that after the couple were abducted, the abductors took them into the bush and contacted their family, demanding a sum of N37m as ransom.

It was learnt that the incident was reported at the Esa Oke Police Division.

Men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Osun State Police Command, as well as men of the Hunters Group of Nigeria, Vigilante Group of Nigeria and members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, were said to be combing the bush in the area to rescue the victims.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, the Director-General of the Kiriji Heritage Defenders, Dr Ademola Ekundayo, whose men led the first search and rescue operation, said efforts to rescue the victims was progressing without a hitch.

He said, “The victims were abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen. We learnt that some herders led their cattle into the Agric Settlement and abducted the couple there.

“From the report at our disposal, the incident happened late on Wednesday. Not long after the couple were abducted, their family members were contacted and N37m ransom was demanded. The search for them is currently ongoing.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.

She said, “One Moses Imomiuku reported at the Esa Oke Police Division around 10.45pm on Wednesday that he received a distress call from one Andrew Omoru, his brother-in-law, who said that his parents, London Omoru and Blessing Omoru, were kidnapped by some hoodlums at their farm settlement situated 10km from the major road at Ori-Omi Pupa, Agric area, Esa Oke.

“On receipt of the report, the DPO led operatives, as men of the anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping unit, VGN, OPC, hunters group swiftly mobilised to the scene. The victims’ motorcycle was recovered. Presently, the bush and other settlements in the area are being combed in a joint operation to rescue the victims.”