Gunmen storm Ondo community, kidnap woman, injure three others

Suspected gunmen have abducted a woman identified as Oladeinde Tomilola and injured three others during a violent attack on Ilu Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident happened on Sunday around 8 pm along Liberty Avenue in the Iluabo area when about six armed men reportedly stormed the neighbourhood and began shooting at residents.

An eyewitness told The Nation that the attackers targeted a vehicle near the entrance of a residence.

They allegedly shot at the car’s fuel tank and tyres to force it to stop before carrying out the abduction and attack.

The witness, who crafted anonymity, said during the violent attack, John Ofuduwa, who was driving into his residence in a Toyota Camry with Abuja registration number GWA 674 CM, was shot and sustained a gunshot injury.

According to him, residents who raised the alarm and attempted to attract help were also attacked as the assailants fired indiscriminately.

As a result, two other persons – Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi – sustained varying degrees of injuries from the gunfire.

It was gathered that all the injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the attack caused panic in the community as residents fled their homes amid fears of further violence.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command said it had intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations in the area.

The command, in a statement released on Monday by its spokesman, Jimoh Abayomi, said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, had visited the scene to assess the situation and reassure residents.

CP Lawal condemned the attack and said additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures had been deployed to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence.

The police commissioner also visited the palace of the Oluabo of Iluabo, Oba Samuel Oluyemi Falae, who condemned the incident and pledged the support of the palace in assisting security agencies.

The monarch said community vigilante groups would be mobilised to complement police efforts and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

The Commander, 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Justin Ifeanyi also joined the police during the assessment and assured residents of military support in tracking the attackers and rescuing the abducted woman.

The police, however, urged members of the public to provide credible information that could aid investigations.

It added that efforts were ongoing in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies to rescue the abducted victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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