A kidnapping gang has abducted five people, including a woman, her daughter, a visitor, and two men, in the Odo-Eku community, Isin Local Council, Kwara State.

The Guardian understands that the incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday while villagers were asleep. The assailants reportedly invaded the community, firing shots into the air to create panic, causing residents to flee for safety. During the ensuing confusion, the five victims were taken hostage.

Sources revealed that the kidnappers headed into the surrounding countryside on Wednesday, prompting local vigilantes, hunters, and security forces to mobilise in pursuit of the criminals and to rescue the abductees.

Confirming the incident, a community leader, Odofin of Odo-Eku, Elder Ogundeji, said: “The victims are Hausa farmers who live in Odo-Eku. Among them are a woman, her daughter, another woman who was visiting, and two men.”

Ogundeji added that police officers had visited the crime scene and assured residents of ongoing efforts to rescue the victims. Spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the attack, noting that it occurred around 1:15 a.m. on January 15. She said the victims, comprising two males and three females, were taken to an undisclosed location.

“Immediate deployment of security operatives has been initiated. The Police, alongside vigilante groups, are actively working to secure the release of the abductees,” Ejire-Adeyemi said, promising further updates as the rescue mission progresses.