Gunmen have killed Chief Lukman Balogun, a prominent vigilante commander, during a rescue operation to save three Fulani women who were abducted from Igbaja community, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Residents said the women were kidnapped on Sunday while Balogun was killed on Monday evening during a gun battle between his vigilante group and the kidnappers.

Following the murder of Balogun, who served as the Jagun of Igbaja land, local youths took to the streets in protest, expressing their anger and grief over the loss of their leader.

It was also gathered that two other individuals were kidnapped from Kajola village early on Tuesday, heightening fears of insecurity in the area.

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Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, Coordinator of the Kwara South Elders Security Forum, confirmed the abduction of the five individuals and noted that Balogun died while attempting to rescue the kidnapped women.

He said a combined team of police, military and vigilante members is currently searching the forests around Igbaja and Oke-Ode for the victims.

Sources said Balogun was on the trail of the kidnappers who had previously abducted a prominent resident of Igbaja when he was killed on the Ogele-Yaaru road.

The paramount ruler of Igbaja, Oba Ahmed Babalola Arepo III, called for calm among the protesters, describing Balogun’s death as a significant loss for the community. He assured the youths that the authorities would apprehend the perpetrators.

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaji Femi Yusuf, visited the area to express condolences and promised that efforts would be intensified to track down the kidnappers and bring them to justice.

DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the spokesman for the state police command, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured that police efforts are ongoing to locate the kidnappers.