Terrorists snatched Ojo Gbara, a beloved youth leader from Ondo State, and murdered him despite his family scraping together the demanded ransom.
In a chilling act that has shaken the quiet community of Isua Akoko, terrorists ambushed Gbara—widely known as Obesere—on 22 February while he travelled back from Ibilo in neighbouring Edo State.
They struck along the notorious Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road near Sasaro, a hotspot for such brutal attacks.
Gbara, a vibrant and hardworking figure in his agrarian hometown, vanished into the hands of these criminals, leaving his family and friends in despair.
The terrorists quickly contacted Gbara’s loved ones, demanding a hefty sum for his release.
Desperate to save him, the family rallied support from the community and paid the ransom about a week later.
However, hope turned to horror when rescuers discovered his decomposing body in a dense Edo forest near Igara.
A joint team of security operatives, local hunters, and community youths recovered the remains, bringing them back to Isua amid waves of grief.
Gbara’s car, an Almera with registration KJA 440 DB, stood as a silent witness—police recovered and secured it at the station shortly after the abduction.
Meanwhile, the Isua Youth Forum, led by president Comrade Abimbola Oluwafemi, unleashed a torrent of outrage.
They decried the rising tide of terror in Akoko South East, where once-peaceful residents now live in constant fear.
“Our brother Obesere fell victim to these merciless acts,” the forum stated, urging vigilance and swift reports of suspicious activity.
Police swung into action, arresting one suspect in Edo State linked to the crime.
DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Ondo State police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and ongoing probes.
Commissioner Adebowale Lawal ordered beefed-up patrols along the Ondo-Edo border to snare remaining culprits and curb further incidents.
Yet, community leaders pressed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and local chairman Engr Jude Omolehin Ayebgo for more decisive measures, including forest sweeps and coordinated security ops.
This tragedy spotlights the escalating insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s southern borders, where terrorists—often disguised as herders—prey on travellers and locals alike.
As families mourn and communities rally, questions linger: how many more lives must shatter before lasting peace returns?
Investigations continue, with hopes pinned on justice for Obesere and safety for all.
