By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A bloody kidnap incident has claimed the lives of three people in Okuta community, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A community leader, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying that the victims include a kidnap victim, a vigilante and a suspected Fulani kidnapper, who reportedly died during a gunfire with the vigilantes.
It was gathered that the bloody incident took place on Sunday night, June 22, 2025, around 10:00 pm, when gunmen stormed the residence of one Alhaji Dauda Ismaila.
Eyewitness accounts said the gunmen, who fired several shots into the air to create panic among the residents of the community, eventually succeeded in kidnapping Alhaji Dauda before disappearing into the nearby forest.
The source said: “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, the kidnap victim, 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 would be spared in bringing the criminals to justice.
The deceased, Alhaji Dauda Ismaila, was described as a reputable businessman and farmer who contributed greatly to the local economy.
His death is seen by residents as a great loss to the Okuta community, where the deceased was acknowledged and reverenced for his hard work and generosity.
The latest bloody incident has added to a growing list of kidnapping cases in the area as barely three weeks ago, another person was kidnapped in Shiya community, a town in Okuta district. The victim was only released after paying a huge ransom.
Community leaders in the area, who lamented the incessant cases of kidnapping in the area, urged both the State and Federal governments to strengthen security in the area with a view to nipping the disturbing scenario in the bud.
Several efforts made to get confirmation of the incident from the State Police Command yielded no fruitful result as the Command’s spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, only asked reporters to “be on hold for the official response from the Command”, which was yet to come until the filing of this report.