The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a council secretary and a woman at a poultry farm in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to him, the victims were abducted on Monday morning at their farm along Kajola Road in Ilu-Abo.
Jimoh identified the victims as Joseph Kayode and Esther Akinlolu.
Kayode is reported to be the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area in Akoko North-West Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson said preliminary information indicated that the attackers were three armed men who were masked and believed to have emerged from a nearby bush.
He said, “The assailants reportedly fired sporadically into the air before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.”
Jimoh added that security operatives had been deployed to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
“Upon receipt of the information, the command immediately mobilised tactical teams and detectives to the affected area to commence search and rescue operations, as well as intensify security patrols to prevent further occurrences,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, had ordered the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to ensure the victims are rescued safely.
“The Commissioner of Police directed the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the suspects,” Jimoh stated.
He added that security operatives, alongside other security outfits, were combing nearby forests and surrounding communities in search of the kidnappers.
The police spokesperson noted that the incident had caused concern among residents, leading to the temporary closure of some schools in the area.
However, he urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
“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,” he said.
Jimoh reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
