Disquiet In Ondo As Gunmen Abduct Council Scribe, 2 Others

BY DAMILOLA ORIGBEMISUYI, Akure

Panic swept through communities around Akure Airport and Ilu-Abo in the Akure North local government area of Ondo State yesterday morning after gunmen reportedly abducted the secretary of Okeluju local council development area (LCDA), Mr Joseph Aladesuyi, along with two others.

The incident, which occurred at about 10:00 a.m. around Kajola village in Ilu-Abo, sparked fear among residents and forced schools  to close as parents rushed to pick their children.

Eyewitnesses said the suspected kidnappers fired gunshots into the air, creating chaos among farmers, workers, and local residents.

A parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident saying   “We heard gunshots around the airport area this morning, and people started saying kidnappers were around. Parents quickly rushed to schools to pick up their children.”

This is coming a few days after the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, claimed the state is safe and not facing any insecurity crisis.

Reacting to the incident, the state police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said that the command has deployed tactical teams and detectives to the scene to commence search and rescue operations.

Jimoh said “The Ondo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a reported case of kidnapping that occurred on Monday, March 9, 2026, at a poultry farm along Kajola Road, Ilu-Abo.

“Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that three armed men, who were masked and suspected to have emerged from a nearby bush, invaded the poultry farm and abducted two persons identified as Joseph Kayode ‘M’ and Easter Akinlolu ‘F’. The assailants reportedly fired sporadically into the air before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.

‎”Upon receipt of the information, the command immediately mobilized tactical teams and detectives to the affected area to commence search and rescue operations, as well as intensify security patrols to prevent further occurrences.

‎”The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has directed that all available operational and intelligence resources be deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for the criminal act.

‎”Security operatives alongside non conventional security outfits are currently combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as part of ongoing efforts to track down the perpetrators.

‎”The Command understands the concern this incident has generated among residents, particularly parents and school authorities, which has resulted in the temporary closure of schools.

‎”Parents, guardians, and community leaders are encouraged to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing operations. The Ondo state police command remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property.”

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