Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday evening invaded the Ilu-Abo community in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducting a middle-aged woman and injuring three other persons in a violent attack.
The abducted woman, Tomilola Oladeinde, a school proprietress, was reportedly at the gate of her residence at about 8:00 p.m. when the armed men, who were shooting sporadically into the air, seized her and forced her into their vehicle.
A source within the community said the attackers, numbering about six, had earlier laid an ambush for a businessman in the area, John Ofuduwa, as he was driving into his residence.
The source explained that Ofuduwa attempted to escape but was shot when the gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in the process.
According to the source, the assailants later turned their attention to Oladeinde, targeting her vehicle and firing several shots at the fuel tank and tyres to immobilise it before dragging her out and whisking her away to an unknown destination.
The attack also left two other persons injured, which include, a middle-aged woman identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi, sustained varying degrees of injuries from stray bullets during the incident.
The source disclosed that the kidnappers had yet to contact the family of the abducted woman, adding that all the injured victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment, while Ofuduwa, who sustained a gunshot injury to the head, was later referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
The incident, however, triggered a peaceful protest by residents of the community on Monday morning over the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the area and across the local government.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “We Seek Governor’s Intervention,” “We Say No to Banditry,” and “Kidnappers Have Turned Us to Prey,” blocked the busy Akure–Owo highway, causing heavy traffic congestion for several hours as motorists were forced to take alternative routes.
One of the protesters, Akin Owoyele, said the demonstration followed the abduction of two residents last week and the kidnapping of Oladeinde on Sunday.
He lamented the worsening insecurity of lives and property in the community and called for the immediate intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the attack and the abduction of Oladeinde.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said about six armed men ambushed John Ofuduwa while he was driving into his residence in a Toyota Camry saloon car with Abuja registration number GWA 674 CM.
Jimoh said Ofuduwa sustained a gunshot injury during the attack, while two other persons—Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi—who were passing through the area at the time, also sustained injuries from the gunfire.
He added that all the injured victims were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention, while residents fled the area in fear.
The police spokesperson confirmed that Oladeinde remains in captivity, with her whereabouts still unknown, but assured that efforts were ongoing to secure her safe rescue.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, who visited the community alongside the Commander of the 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Justin Ifeanyi, condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and a direct threat to public safety.
Lawal assured residents that security in the area had been reinforced with additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures aimed at arresting the perpetrators and preventing a recurrence.
He said investigations were ongoing in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations, stressing that effective policing thrives on cooperation between security agencies and the public.
The Oluabo of Iluabo, Oba Olu Falae, also condemned the attack and pledged the support of the palace, assuring that community vigilante groups would be mobilised to complement police efforts.
The attack has left the Ilu-Abo community in shock, with residents calling for sustained security presence and decisive action to curb the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime in the area.
