Gunmen have kidnapped two young women and k!lled a farmer in Ilero Town, located in the Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The two victims were abducted while on duty at an agro-products shop within Ilero Town.
In response to the incident, angry youths from Ilero staged a protest, demanding that Fulani herdsmen leave their community.
The State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, confirmed the incident on Monday, June 23, 2025, and assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the victims’ release.
The Commissioner of Police addressed youths and traditional leaders from the Kajola and Iwajowa communities, explaining that the police had arrested several suspects allegedly involved in the brutal killing of the farmer, which occurred at a farm settlement in the town on Thursday.
Adenola noted that the meeting was held to consult and mediate among critical stakeholders in the zone.
He, particularly, urged the youths to shelve their planned protest to avoid it being hijacked by criminals.
“We are working hard and hope that the two victims will regain their freedom soon; we have arrested some suspects, and we are getting close to the kidnappers,” he stated.
“Protests will not solve the problem; the best thing to do is to come together and share information that will give us a quick solution.
“The command has also deployed additional officers from the Anti-kidnapping and Monitoring Units to the town to strengthen security in the affected areas
“We have about 11 suspects in custody in connection with the attacks, seven of them were arrested for alleged involvement in kidnapping, while four persons were arrested for alleged involvement in murder.
“We are still looking for others and hopefully, we will soon get them.”
Adenola emphasised the importance of synergy among police, local vigilante groups, and other security agents to achieve maximum security in the zone.
The Elero of Ilero land, Oba Wasiu Oyedele, said that the town had been enjoying relative peace in the past few months until the recent attacks.
The traditional ruler condemned the incessant attacks on farmers and the destruction of crops by suspected herders.
According to him, the natives are well accommodating to all tribes and would want all foreigners in the town to embrace peace
The Seriki Fulani in the zone, Mr Muhamud Yusuf, alleged that many of the attacks were perpetrated by strange herders and other criminals, not residing in the host communities.
He expressed the readiness of herders and other foreigners in the town to work with the police and local vigilante groups to flush out the criminals.
