Six Lagos-based real-estate marketers were abducted on Friday in Oyebola village, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, during an inspection visit to a parcel of land meant for a new marketing campaign.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday night, describing the attack as a “disturbing escalation” of criminal activities targeting businesses and unsuspecting visitors in rural communities.
Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, said the victims were part of a team brought from Lagos to assess the land ahead of a sales rollout before they were ambushed by gunmen.
“They brought some marketers from Lagos to see the land so that they can have the requisite information to market it to members of the public,” Mr Ogunlowo told journalists.
“It was during this visit that the six people were abducted. The command has been on it since, and we shall definitely ensure that these people regain their freedom.”
He added that a joint security team had begun a coordinated search-and-rescue operation and vowed that the perpetrators “will be tracked down and arrested.”
The abduction comes amid renewed national anxiety over worsening insecurity, especially the rising spate of kidnappings across several states.
Only last week, Southern governors—meeting in Iperu-Remo under the leadership of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun—reiterated their demand for state police, insisting that the current centralised structure can no longer cope with localised threats.
The governors described state policing as “non-negotiable,” citing repeated attacks on schools, religious centres and travellers.
Their position followed a series of high-profile abductions in November, including the kidnapping of over 300 students at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, the abduction of 25 girls from a school in Kebbi, and the seizure of 38 church worshippers in Kwara.
Security experts say the Ogun incident highlights the vulnerability of economic actors, investors and field workers who often travel into remote communities without adequate protection.
As of press time, the abductors had not made contact with the families or the authorities, while security agencies continue the hunt for the victims.
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