John Dike, Osogbo

Local hunters and security agents have stormed the forests of Iwo, Iwo local government area of Osun state, in search of three men kidnapped by gunmen at the weekend.

The kidnap victims were identified as Hamzat Ibrahim, Deere Ibrahim and a 38-year-old man whose real name could not be ascertained as at press time.

The Nigerian Monitor gathered that some unidentified gunmen invaded a suburb of Iwo community at the weekend and started shooting sporadically to scare people away.

Our correspondent was told that the sporadic shooting led to pandemonium in the area as residents scampered to safety.

An eye witness account revealed that the gunmen successfully abducted three people and escaped into the forest.

He added that the local hunters and other security agents swung into action immediately, and are currently on the trail of the kidnappers.

Reacting the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Osun Police Command, SP Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, stating that one Hamidat Ibraheem reported the abduction to the police.

She said: “The gunmen abducted Hamzat Ibrahim, Deere Ibrahim and a 38-year-old man. Our officers, hunters and other local security agencies are combing the forest to rescue the victims”.