The worsening security situation in Ogun State came to the fore again yesterday as more than 15 armed bandits stormed the Oke-Eri area of Ijebu Ode and abducted three persons.

The fleeing attackers also shot a woman while escaping into a nearby forest.

Eyewitnesses and family members said the gunmen invaded the community at about 7:00 p.m., catching residents unawares.

According to residents, the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons. They were said to have operated without masks, except for one member of the group.

The assailants allegedly ransacked a house before abducting three members of a family. They also reportedly attempted to gain access to another house but failed.

The head of the affected family, said to be a government employee, was reportedly away at his duty post when the incident occurred.

Community leader of Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, Mr Kehinde, described the incident as disturbing and called for urgent intervention by the government and security agencies.

He said residents were shocked that such an incident could occur in what he described as a well-developed area of the state.

Kehinde appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts towards the safe rescue of the abducted victims.

Also speaking, the head of the Badewa family of Ijebu Ode, Mr Yesiru Badewa, said the incident had left the family devastated.

In an emotional account, he said two women and a man were abducted during the attack, expressing concern over the health condition of one of the kidnapped women who was said to be ill.

Badewa appealed to the Ogun State Government and relevant stakeholders to assist in securing the safe return of the victims.

Residents said the incident had created fear within the community, with many people now reluctant to move about freely.

They called on the government to strengthen security presence in the area.