A pregnant woman, Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Ayede community, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, sparking renewed fear among residents of the area. The incident comes just days after another violent attack in the same local government, where a school proprietress was kidnapped and three other people were shot.
The latest abduction reportedly occurred on Tuesday at about 8 pm at Mrs Jesulayomi’s residence along Liberty Avenue in the Ilu-Abo area, which is close to Ayede community. Residents said the gunmen stormed the area under the cover of darkness and carried out the attack in a swift and violent manner.
A community resident, Pa Mse, who spoke to journalists, said the attackers arrived at the victim’s house and immediately began shooting. According to him, the assailants opened fire on Mrs Jesulayomi’s vehicle, causing panic in the neighbourhood, before forcefully taking her away to an unknown destination.
“The sound of gunshots was very loud. People were afraid to come out. Before we knew it, they had taken the woman away,” the resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of Mrs Jesulayomi remained unknown. There has been no official information on whether the abductors have contacted her family or demanded ransom. Residents say the woman is heavily pregnant, a situation that has increased concern for her safety and health.
The abduction has thrown the community into fear, with many residents now afraid to move freely, especially at night. Some families are reportedly keeping vigil or relocating temporarily to safer areas, while others have restricted their movements.
This incident is the second major security breach in Akure North Local Government Area within a short period. Only a few days earlier, suspected gunmen attacked Ilu-Abo community, where they kidnapped a primary school proprietress, Mrs Oladeinde Tomilola. During that attack, three other people were shot and injured, further deepening fear among residents.
The repeated attacks have raised serious questions about security in the area. Residents say criminal groups appear to be operating freely, targeting individuals and communities without fear of arrest.
Akure North, which surrounds Ondo State’s capital city, has in recent years experienced increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and violent attacks. The area’s forests and road networks are often blamed for making it easy for criminals to hide and escape after carrying out attacks.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a major security challenge across Ondo State and other parts of the South-West. Criminal gangs often target travellers, residents of quiet communities, and business owners, taking advantage of weak security presence and poor lighting in rural areas.
In response to growing insecurity, the Ondo State Government has in the past set up security outfits such as Amotekun, the regional security network for the South-West. Amotekun operatives are often deployed alongside the police and other security agencies to patrol highways and rural communities.
However, residents of Ayede and Ilu-Abo communities say more needs to be done. They are calling on the police, Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies to increase patrols and surveillance in the area, especially at night.
A community leader, who did not want his name mentioned, said the safety of residents is now at risk. “People cannot sleep with their eyes closed anymore. This is too much. A pregnant woman has been taken from her home. It is painful,” he said.
Women groups and concerned residents have also expressed worry over the abduction of a pregnant woman, describing it as inhuman and dangerous. They urged the kidnappers to release her immediately, considering her condition.
The police are yet to issue an official statement on the latest abduction. However, security sources said efforts are ongoing to track the kidnappers and rescue the victim. They also urged residents to remain calm and provide useful information that could help security agencies in their operations.
In recent months, Ondo State has witnessed a rise in violent crimes, including kidnappings and attacks on communities. Despite assurances from the government and security agencies, many residents say they feel unsafe.
As fear spreads across Akure North, residents are hoping for quick action from security agencies to secure the release of Mrs Jesulayomi and others abducted in the area. For now, daily life has been disrupted, as families remain on edge, waiting for news and praying for the safe return of the victims.
