Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of six real estate marketers in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, a development that has sparked widespread concern over the increasing insecurity affecting communities around the state’s expanding real estate corridors.
The victims, all employees of a Lagos-based property development firm, were kidnapped during a site inspection at Oyebola village, a rural community located along one of Ogun’s fast-growing real estate axes. Police authorities say the incident occurred on Friday, November 30, but was officially disclosed to the public on Sunday.
According to Channels Television, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, confirmed the incident in a briefing, describing the attack as both unfortunate and deeply troubling.
How the Abduction Happened
Preliminary investigations indicate that the six marketers had been brought from Lagos to inspect plots of land the company planned to market to prospective buyers. The visit was part of a routine due-diligence exercise where marketing teams assess the environment, take coordinates, and gather information for clients.
However, during the visit, a group of armed men emerged from the surrounding bushes and ambushed the team, ordering the workers into the forest at gunpoint. The marketers were reportedly taken away before local residents could raise an alarm.
Commissioner Ogunlowo explained:
“They brought some marketers from Lagos to see the land and gather the necessary information for marketing. It was during this visit that the six people were abducted. The command has been on the case since Friday, and we are fully committed to ensuring that these victims regain their freedom.”
No ransom demand had been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Police Launch Manhunt and Deploy Tactical Units
Since the incident, the Ogun State Police Command has mobilised a combination of tactical squads, local vigilante units, and community hunters to comb the forested areas surrounding Oyebola village. Officers familiar with the terrain say the area is dotted with thick bushes and abandoned routes that often serve as escape corridors for criminal gangs.
Police sources say the manhunt includes:
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Anti-kidnapping operatives
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Police mobile squads
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Intelligence response teams
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Local security outfits familiar with the terrain
Commissioner Ogunlowo assured the public that the operation is ongoing and that significant progress has been made. Although he did not provide operational details, he reiterated the command’s commitment to recovering the victims unhurt.
Communities on Edge as Real Estate Workers Become Targets
In the past two years, parts of Obafemi-Owode and neighbouring local government areas have witnessed increased real estate activity, drawing surveyors, agents, investors, and development teams from Lagos and other parts of the Southwest. But this growth has also attracted criminal elements who see the movement of land buyers and marketers as lucrative targets.
Security analysts warn that criminals often monitor real estate companies’ visits through informants, striking when the teams enter isolated areas with limited security presence. Similar patterns have been witnessed in parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Lagos border communities.
Residents of Oyebola village say Friday’s kidnapping has heightened fear, with many now afraid to move through isolated farmland or forest paths. Some community members have called for a permanent security outpost along the major access routes used by real estate companies.
Ogun State Government Expected to Respond
The Ogun State Government is expected to release an official statement, as the abduction threatens investor confidence in the state’s booming real estate and rural development sector. In recent months, the government has spoken about plans to improve security architecture to support land transactions and prevent criminal infiltration of developing areas.
While the police have assured that the victims will be rescued, stakeholders in the real estate industry say the incident underscores the need for:
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Escort security during land inspections
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Better profiling of remote communities
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Collaboration between developers and local authorities
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Early warning systems and community intelligence networks
Ogun remains one of the fastest-growing real estate hubs in Southwest Nigeria, but safety concerns like this continue to pose a serious challenge.
An Ongoing Investigation
As the search continues, police authorities are urging the public to remain calm and cooperate by providing any useful information. Meanwhile, families of the abducted marketers are anxiously awaiting updates as pressure mounts on security agencies to deliver a swift rescue.
Commissioner Ogunlowo maintained:
“We have been on this case from the moment it was reported. We will do everything necessary to ensure these people are safely reunited with their families.”
The story continues to develop as security operations intensify across Obafemi-Owode.
