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

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

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

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

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.

“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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

“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. (Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH)

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