Gunmen have abducted a local council secretary and another person at a poultry farm in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, raising fresh concerns about security in parts of the state.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, saying the victims were taken away by armed men at a farm located along Kajola Road in the Ilu-Abo area of the council.
The police spokesperson in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed the development in a statement, noting that the attack happened earlier in the day.
According to him, the victims were identified as Joseph Kayode and Esther Akinlolu. Kayode serves as the secretary of the Okeluju Local Council Development Area in Akoko North-West Local Government Area.
Jimoh said preliminary investigation by the police showed that the attackers were three armed men whose identities were still unknown as of the time of the report.
He explained that the gunmen reportedly emerged from a nearby bush and stormed the poultry farm where the victims were present.
“The assailants, who were masked, fired shots into the air before abducting the victims and fleeing to an unknown destination,” Jimoh said.
Residents in the area said the sound of gunshots caused panic as people ran for safety. Some workers at nearby farms were said to have fled into surrounding areas to avoid being caught in the attack.
Police authorities said officers were immediately deployed to the scene after the report was received.
Jimoh stated that tactical teams and detectives had been mobilised to carry out a search-and-rescue operation. Security patrols have also been increased around the community and nearby areas.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, has directed that all available operational and intelligence resources be used to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects.
According to the police spokesperson, security personnel are currently working with local security groups and other non-conventional security outfits in the search for the victims.
He said the teams were combing nearby forests and neighbouring communities as part of efforts to track down the kidnappers.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and bring those responsible to justice,” Jimoh said.
The incident has created fear among residents of Ilu-Abo and surrounding communities in Akure North Local Government Area.
Some residents said they were worried about the safety of farmers, workers and students in the area. According to community members, the attack has also affected daily activities, especially farming operations which many people depend on for their livelihood.
Following the incident, some schools in the area were reportedly closed temporarily as parents and school authorities expressed concern over the safety of children.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation had forced many residents to remain indoors.
“People are afraid. When something like this happens, everyone becomes careful. Parents are worried about their children and workers are also scared to go to farms,” the source said.
Kidnapping has remained a major security challenge in several parts of Nigeria in recent years. Armed groups often target travellers, farmers, and sometimes public officials for ransom.
In many rural areas, farmlands and forest paths have become vulnerable locations because they are often located far from police stations and other security facilities.
Ondo State, located in the South-West region of Nigeria, has recorded a number of kidnapping incidents in recent years, especially in communities close to forest areas.
Authorities have responded by increasing joint security operations and working with local vigilante groups to monitor rural communities and forest routes.
The Ondo State Police Command has also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Jimoh said the police would continue to provide updates as the rescue operation progresses.
Meanwhile, residents are calling for stronger security presence in the area to prevent further attacks.
As the search continues, families of the victims and members of the community are hoping that the security agencies will succeed in locating the abducted individuals and bringing them back safely.
