Stress gripped residents of Ilu-Abo in Akure North Native Authorities Space of Ondo State on Monday after suspected gunmen kidnapped a council secretary and two different individuals throughout an assault on a poultry farm alongside Kajola Street.
One of many victims, Joseph Aladesuyi, is the Secretary of Okeluju Native Council Growth Space (LCDA) in Akoko North-West Native Authorities Space of the state.
Aladesuyi was reportedly attacked whereas heading to his farm within the firm of his daughter.
Eyewitnesses mentioned the assailants, believed to be about ten in quantity, ambushed the victims and commenced capturing sporadically, inflicting panic within the space earlier than whisking the council official away to an unknown vacation spot.
A neighborhood supply who spoke on situation of anonymity mentioned the assault occurred all of the sudden and left residents in shock.
“They had been closely armed and began capturing to scare folks away. Everybody ran for security earlier than they took the victims into the bush,” the supply mentioned.
Aladesuyi, who additionally runs a industrial farm within the space, was mentioned to have been travelling to the farm when the gunmen struck. His daughter, nevertheless, was reportedly left behind by the attackers.
The incident triggered widespread concern locally, with many residents expressing concern concerning the deteriorating safety scenario.
Dad and mom had been additionally mentioned to have rushed to close by faculties to withdraw their youngsters amid fears of additional assaults.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Jimoh Abayomi, mentioned the police had launched an instantaneous rescue operation.
“The Ondo State Police Command needs to tell most people of a reported case of kidnapping that occurred on Monday, March 9, 2026, at a poultry farm alongside Kajola Street, Ilu-Abo,” he mentioned.
Abayomi defined that preliminary data indicated that three masked gunmen emerged from a close-by bush and kidnapped two individuals recognized as Joseph Kayode and Easter Akinlolu after firing photographs into the air.
“Upon receipt of the knowledge, the Command instantly mobilised tactical groups and detectives to the realm to begin search and rescue operations and intensify safety patrols to forestall additional occurrences,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, has directed that every one accessible operational and intelligence sources be deployed to make sure the secure rescue of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Safety operatives, alongside native vigilante {groups} and different non-conventional safety outfits, are at present combing close by forests and surrounding communities in quest of the abductors.
The police additionally appealed to residents to stay calm and keep away from spreading unverified data able to creating pointless panic.
“Dad and mom, guardians and neighborhood leaders are inspired to cooperate with the police and different safety companies by offering credible and actionable data that might help ongoing operations,” Abayomi mentioned.
He assured residents that the command stays dedicated to defending lives and property throughout the state.
Fidelis David
Times Nigeria