Armed assailants have abducted a Fulani herdsman, Yahaya Sulaiman, in Ijebu Jesa, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, with the outlaws reportedly demanding a ransom of N70 million for his release.
The incident, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Monday along the Iloko/Ijebu Jesa Road, has heightened security concerns in the community, as details emerged suggesting the victim was deliberately targeted.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the attackers arrived in the area and made inquiries about Sulaiman’s whereabouts from a resident before identifying and forcibly taking him to an undisclosed location.
A security source in the town, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the operation as premeditated, noting that the abductors appeared to have prior knowledge of the victim.
According to the source, “The gunmen struck around 21:00 hours on May 4, 2026. They specifically asked for Yahaya Sulaiman, who is well-known among Fulani herders in the area due to his cattle business. After locating him, they abducted him and later contacted his family, demanding N70 million ransom.”
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were promptly deployed to the scene following the report.
According to him, preliminary findings indicate the victim was indeed singled out by the attackers.
“Yahaya Sulaiman, a Fulani herder, is the victim. The incident was reported, and police responded immediately. From all indications, he was targeted,” he said.
He further explained that the suspects had interacted with a resident before executing the abduction, reinforcing suspicions that the operation was carefully planned.
The police spokesperson disclosed that an investigation had been launched, adding that authorities are awaiting formal engagement from the victim’s family with anti-kidnapping units.
“Although investigation is ongoing, the victim’s family has yet to report to the anti-kidnapping authorities. The police are, however, doing what they can pending when they will come forward,” Ojelabi added.
He appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could aid efforts to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
