Gunmen on Tuesday evening abducted a former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Moruf Musa, at Ibiade in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.
Musa, who served as Majority Leader of the Assembly between 2007 and 2011, was reportedly seized at about 7 pm while observing Muslim prayers inside a mosque within his compound.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, Ganiyu Odunoiki, said the abduction occurred during evening prayers, adding that the assailants fired gunshots along the road while fleeing the scene.
“The report is true. The former lawmaker was abducted on Tuesday evening. The gunmen also reportedly shot some people on the road,” Odunoiki said.
He added that security operatives and local officials were combing the surrounding bushes in search of the victim.
“We are now combing the surrounding bushes together with some police officers. We are still expecting the anti-kidnapping unit, which is already on its way to join us in the search. The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police from Ogbere is also here,” he said.
The Ogun State Police Command also confirmed the abduction. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command had activated security measures to ensure Musa’s safe return.
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“The Ogun State Police Command is aware of the reported abduction of Hon. Musa Moruf in Ibiade, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. Security measures have been activated, including the deployment of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and the public is advised to remain calm pending official updates,” Babaseyi said.
A source in the community disclosed that the former lawmaker reportedly struggled with his abductors for over 20 minutes, drawing the attention of residents.
The source added that the gunmen fired sporadically into the air to scare away people before escaping with the victim.