Gunmen kidnap herdsman in Osun

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Some gunmen have reportedly abducted a Fulani herdsman based in Ijebu Jesa, Osun State, identified as Yahaya Sulaiman.

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The abductors, it was learnt, have demanded a sum of N70m ransom before his release.

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Sources in Ijebu Jesa, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, told our correspondent that the incident occurred at about 9 pm on Monday.

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A security source in the town further told PUNCH Online on Wednesday that Sulaiman must have been targeted by the perpetrators.

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He added that the gunmen asked for his whereabouts from a particular resident of the neighbourhood where the abduction took place before he was eventually identified, captured and whisked away to an unknown location.

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“The incident happened around 21:00 hours of 4th May, 2026, along Iloko/Ijebu Jesa Road in Oriade LG. The gunmen struck late in the evening and specifically asked for the whereabouts of Yahaya Sulaiman. He is a big man among Fulani men in the area. He rears cattle.

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“Ransom of N70 million has been placed on him by the abductors who contacted his family,” the security source said.

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When contacted, the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident.

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Ojelabi said, “Yahaya Sulaiman, a Fulani herder, is the victim. The incident was reported and police moved to the scene immediately. From all indications, he was targeted.

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“On arrival at the scene, they (gunmen) met a person whom they told that they were looking for the abducted person. They were specific.”

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He said the command had launched a probe into the incident and called for assistance from those with relevant information that could assist the police in rescuing the victim.

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“Although investigation is going on, the victim’s family are yet to report to the anti-kidnapping authorities, but the police are doing what they can pending when they will come,” Ojelabi said.

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