Bandits have killed a middle-aged man, identified as Oluwaseun, at Upenmen in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Peoples Gazette has learnt.

Sources said Mr Oluwaseun was killed on Sunday after he was ambushed by the armed bandits who had laid siege in the town.

One of the sources who spoke on Tuesday said the deceased was shot dead while trying to escape from the captivity of the kidnappers.

“He was killed at the weekend while trying to escape from the kidnappers. Sadly, two other persons, together with him, were kidnapped by the armed bandits,” the sources who preferred to be anonymous told The Gazette on Tuesday.

Lanre Owadare, a leader in the town, confirmed the incident, noting that the situation was becoming unbearable and pathetic for residents.

Mr Owadare immediately called for government intervention, stressing that security agencies needed to rise and address the worsening insecurity in the town.

He explained that there are growing concerns among residents over multiple kidnapping cases.

The state police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the incident to The Gazette and promised to give full details later.

This latest incident is coming barely a few days after residents called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take urgent steps in addressing the incessant kidnapping and violent crime being perpetrated by armed bandits in the area.

In an open letter to Mr Aiyedatiwa on Sunday, the residents stressed that they are in desperate need of the government’s intervention to reclaim the community.