Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members in Kwara: Vigilante and Police Launch Extensive Search
In a shocking and troubling development, gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, abducted three members of the Owoyale family in Owoyale village, Agbamu, within the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The harrowing incident occurred on the night of Saturday, February 1, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM. The victims, identified as Alhaji Moshood Owoyale and his sibling, Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale, along with a woman believed to be Moshood’s wife, were forcefully taken from their residence by the armed assailants, who stormed their home in a violent and brazen manner.
Reports suggest that the kidnappers, whose identities remain unknown, arrived at the Owoyale family’s house in the dead of night and, after overpowering the family members, whisked them away to an undisclosed location. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, sparking fears over the increasing rate of kidnappings and violent crimes in the region.
The Kwara South Elders Security Network has been closely monitoring the situation and has confirmed the details of the abduction. As of Sunday morning, February 2, 2025, a coordinated search effort was immediately launched by both security agencies and local vigilante groups. According to a coordinator of the security network, the teams, which include members of the police, vigilante groups, and hunters, have been tirelessly combing vast swathes of forest across multiple states in an effort to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
The search operations have expanded to several surrounding areas, with forest areas in Kwara, Ekiti, and Osun states being the primary focus. The search parties have been scouring the thick, dense forests in locations such as Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, Irepodun in Kwara State, and Ifedayo and Ila local governments in Osun State, as well as the Eda Oniyo area in Ekiti State. Despite these extensive efforts, the whereabouts of the kidnapped family members remain unknown, and there has been no communication from the kidnappers since the abduction took place.
In a statement released to the press on Sunday, the Kwara State Police Command, through its spokesperson Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the abduction and assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and secure the safe release of the victims. According to the police statement, the kidnappers stormed the Owoyale village, located along the Oro-Agbamu Road, and abducted the three individuals at gunpoint. The police further stated that they are working in close collaboration with local vigilante groups and hunters, all of whom have been mobilized to comb the forests and other possible hiding places where the kidnappers may have taken the victims.
The statement issued by the police spokesperson emphasized that the law enforcement agencies are doing everything within their power to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt and that the criminals responsible for this crime are swiftly apprehended. Additionally, the police have pledged to keep the public updated on the progress of the investigation and the search for the abducted family members as new developments arise.
This abduction is a reminder of the persistent security challenges facing various regions of Nigeria, with kidnappings and other forms of violent crime becoming an increasing concern for local communities. Although authorities have been actively working to curb the wave of abductions, this latest incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the growing threat posed by criminal gangs operating in the area.
Local residents and community leaders have expressed their deep concern and anxiety over the situation, with many calling for greater security presence and more robust measures to tackle the increasing wave of criminal activity in the region. While the vigilante groups and law enforcement agencies continue to work around the clock to locate the victims, the uncertainty of the outcome continues to weigh heavily on the community.
As the search continues, there are growing calls for increased vigilance and collaboration between security forces and local communities to prevent such incidents from escalating further. The tragedy has also served as a stark reminder of the need for greater resources and coordination in addressing the issue of kidnappings and violent crimes, which have been on the rise across various parts of Nigeria.
The authorities are optimistic that the kidnappers will be apprehended soon and that the victims will be safely returned to their families, but the ongoing investigation and search effort underscore the gravity of the situation and the need for continued efforts to improve the security landscape in the region. Further updates on the rescue mission and the investigation are expected to be provided by the police as new developments unfold.
Until then, residents of Kwara and surrounding areas remain on edge, hoping for the swift and safe return of the abducted family members. The incident has brought to the forefront the pressing need for stronger security measures to curb the alarming trend of kidnappings in Nigeria.
Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members in Kwara
In a disturbing incident, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted three members of the Owoyale family in Owoyale village, Agbamu, within the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The victims, Alhaji Moshood and Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale (siblings), alongside a woman believed to be Moshood’s wife, were kidnapped from their home around 10:00 PM on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
The Kwara South Elders Security Network has confirmed the abduction, revealing that both the police and local vigilante groups have been tirelessly searching for the victims. Since Sunday morning, efforts have focused on combing the forests across several states, including Kwara, Ekiti, and Osun, in an attempt to locate the missing family members. Areas such as Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, Irepodun in Kwara, as well as Ifedayo, Ila local governments in Osun, and Eda Oniyo in Ekiti State, are being thoroughly searched.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the abduction. According to the statement, armed men stormed the Owoyale village along the Oro-Agbamu road and forcibly took the three individuals to an unknown location. The police, in collaboration with vigilante groups, have been actively working to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The police have assured that further updates on the progress of the investigation and rescue efforts will be communicated as they unfold.
The abduction highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and has sparked concern among local residents and authorities alike, with efforts intensifying to ensure the safe return of the victims and to bring the criminals to justice.
Gunmen abduct three family members in Kwara
Gunmen abduct three family members in Kwara
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted three family members in Owoyale village, Agbamu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims identified as Alhaji Moshood and Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale (siblings) and a woman believed to be the wife of Moshood was reportedly kidnapped in their house at about 10 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
The Kwara South Elders Security Network which confirmed the abduction said the vigilante group and the police had been combing the forest in Kwara, Ekiti and Osun states in search of the kidnapped victims since Sunday morning.
“The vigilante and men from security agencies have been combing the forest in Ekiti, Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, Irepodun in Kwara state, Ifedayo and Ila local governments in Osun and Eda Oniyo council area in Ekiti State since Sunday morning but we are yet to see them,” a coordinator said.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Sunday.
“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate kidnap incident that occurred on February 1, 2025, at about 2200 hours. It was reported that unknown armed men stormed the Owoyale village along Oro-agbamu Road and forcefully whisked three persons to an unknown location,” the PPRO stated.
“Alhaji Moshood and Alhaji Abdulkazeem Owoyale (siblings), and the wife to Alhaji Moshood were forcefully taken from their house.”
The statement further noted that the police alongside the vigilante/hunter groups had swung into action combing the forest to rescue the three victims unhurt and apprehend the criminals behind this act.
“Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses.”
