Hoodlums Attack Ogun Farm, Kidnap Three, Kill 20 Fowls

No fewer than six suspected hoodlums have reportedly attacked a poultry farm and kidnapped three workers in Atoyo town in the Itele area of Ogun State.

According to PUNCH Metro, the suspects attacked the farm at about 5pm on Saturday with assorted weapons, including rifles and other dangerous arms.

Though the state police command said two persons had been arrested in connection with the crime, the three victims had yet to be rescued as of the time this report was filed.

A source in the area who did not want to be mentioned because of fear of attack told the publication that the hoodlums had initially kidnapped about five persons found inside the farm, including the owner.

The source said after carrying out the attack unhindered, the hoodlums were said to have taken the six persons to a forest and seized their mobile phones.

The source added that a few hours later, the hoodlums were said to have allowed the owner of the farm and one other person to go free while holding on to the three other victims.

Confirming the attack to the publication via WhatsApp message on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the incident was being treated as a kidnapping case.

She noted that the two suspects believed to have taken part in the crime had been arrested and that efforts were ongoing to rescue other victims.

She added that the men of the command in the police division and local hunters had begun to comb the forest to arrest the suspects and rescue the victims.

She said, “There were five of them who were kidnapped at the farm, but two were later released. They were the ones who identified them as the suspects. The driver who came to take some eggs, one female worker, and one other were believed to be victims.

“The two victims who were released have identified the two suspects we arrested after our men, in collaboration with local hunters and other security agencies, combed the bush.”