Tension as gunmen abduct couple in Ondo

Suspected gunmen have kidnapped a couple, Mr. Jamiu Olawale and his wife, from their home in Olaribigba Estate, Iluabo, located in the Akure North Local Council Area of Ondo State.

During the brazen night raid, the attackers also shot a neighbour, Mr. Patrick Ilumaro, who was seated outside his residence. Mr. Ilumaro was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Residents reported that the violent attack took place around 9:45 p.m. as the couple returned from their shop in an ash-coloured Toyota Camry.

The community remains shaken as authorities investigate the incident.

One of the residents, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the assailants emerged from a nearby bush and struck at the frontage of the couple’s residence.

He revealed that about five gunmen seized the couple and whisked them away to an unknown destination.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, had deployed tactical teams in collaboration with conventional operatives to comb the surrounding bushes and adjoining areas.

Abayomi explained that the move is aimed at rescuing the victims unhurt and apprehending those behind the attack.

He added that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the abducted couple and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Concerted efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.

DSP Abayomi, however, asked the residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities while appealing to members of the public to provide credible and actionable information at the nearest police station to aid ongoing investigations.

Following the latest kidnap incident, the residents of Eleyeowo in Ilu Abo community, Akure North LGA, have trooped the streets to protest over the incident.

The aggrieved residents blocked the Akure-Owo expressway against the recent kidnapping of two persons and the shooting of another in the community, paralysing vehicular activities on the road.

The demonstrators, who barricaded the busy highway, decried the worsening security situation in the area.

Armed with placards bearing different inscriptions, the protesters drew the government’s attention to what they described as insecurity and inadequate response from the state government and security agencies.

They lamented being traumatised and forced to live in fear and uncertainty due to incessant kidnappings and killings in the community.

While they acknowledged the efforts of security operatives, they maintained that the personnel are not adequately equipped to tackle the menace effectively.

The protesters called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and personally visit the community to assess the situation and reassure them of their safety.

The residents called on the government to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in the state and tackle the increasing insecurity in the state.

The latest abduction is coming barely forty hours after suspected gunmen stormed the Agamo community and killed the monarch, Oba Kehinde Falodun, in a failed kidnap attempt.

The assailants, said to be about 10 in number, reportedly invaded the monarch’s residence in what residents described as an attempted abduction of the royal father and members of his household.

According to the Olori, Veronica Falodun, who narrowly escaped, the attackers initially tried to whisk the monarch away but met resistance.

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