By Omowumi Omotosho
Tragedy struck on Sunday night in Okuta, a town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, as a botched kidnapping operation led to the deaths of three individuals.
According to a local community elder who spoke on condition of anonymity, the deceased include the abducted victim, a member of the local vigilante group, and one of the suspected kidnappers believed to be of Fulani descent. The confrontation reportedly escalated into a fierce exchange of gunfire between the assailants and community security volunteers.
The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. on June 22, 2025, when armed attackers invaded the residence of a prominent local figure, Alhaji Dauda Ismaila. Witnesses recounted how the assailants unleashed sporadic gunshots to create panic, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Despite efforts by vigilantes to repel the attackers, the kidnappers succeeded in abducting Alhaji Dauda and retreated into the dense forest, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed and fear.
The source narrated that,”In response, the local vigilantes immediately launched a pursuit operation, and caught up with the kidnappers in the forest, leading to a fierce gun battle.
“During the exchange of gunfire, one of the kidnappers was shot and killed. Sadly, Alhaji Dauda also lost his life in the crossfire, while a member of the vigilante group, who was part of the rescue effort, was also killed in the operation,”
Security sources in the community also confirmed that “based on the physical appearance of the kidnapper who was killed, he is suspected to be of Fulani origin, just as the task force has continued to pursue the remaining kidnappers,” assuring the public that no effort will be spared in bringing them to justice.
The late Alhaji Dauda Ismaila, a prominent entrepreneur and agriculturist, played a significant role in boosting the economic activities of his community. Widely admired for his industrious spirit and generosity, his passing has left a deep void in Okuta, where he was held in high esteem.
This tragic development adds to a disturbing trend of abductions plaguing the area. On May 31, 2025—just three weeks ago—a resident of Shiya, a community within the Okuta district, was abducted and later freed only after a substantial ransom was paid.
Similarly, on February 14, 2025, gunmen believed to be kidnappers made an attempt on the life of Alhaji Fatai Olowogbo. Although the abduction failed, he was shot during the incident and tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Locals in Okuta have raised alarm over the increasingly frequent cases of abduction, which they say now occur with alarming regularity—often every few weeks. The persistent danger has plunged many households into anxiety and unrest, sparking widespread appeals for urgent government action.
Traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the community are calling on both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government to bolster security measures in the region.
Efforts to get reaction of the Kwara state police command to confirm the incident proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer,Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi did not respond to calls and text.
