Tension erupted in Ilu-Abo, an agrarian community in Akure North Local Council, Ondo State, after heavily armed gunmen carried out a violent attack on Sunday, abducting a woman and shooting a local businessman.
The abducted woman, identified as Tomilola Oladehinde, was reportedly seized around 8:00 p.m. at the entrance of her home on Liberty Avenue by six assailants.
Investigations revealed that the attackers had been tracking a businessman, John Ofuduwa, to Ilu-Abo. Ofuduwa, an iron rod trader from the nearby Oba-Ile community, was shot in the head while trying to enter his compound.
During the incident, two additional victims, a woman named Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, were struck by bullets fired by the gunmen as they passed through the area.
Community sources suggested that the attackers were not typical kidnappers but were allegedly hired to assassinate Ofuduwa, with the other victims, including Oladehinde, caught in the crossfire.
One resident, who spoke anonymously, described the chaos, “John was the one that the gunmen traced to Ilu-Abo. He was about to enter his gate when we suddenly heard multiple gunshots. At that point, we had to run for our dear lives.
“It was when they left that we realised that John was shot in the head with blood gushing out. A woman that was also trying to drive inside her compound was kidnapped. Another woman and her daughter were also shot. We believed that the woman was kidnapped in order to aid their escape from the community. But they are yet to contact anyone as regards her whereabouts since Sunday night. John was rushed to FMC in Owo, but he was referred to Ado-Ekiti. We are praying that he will make it.”
The attack triggered protests as residents barricaded the busy Akure–Owo highway to express outrage over the rising insecurity. Motorists were forced to take alternative routes, causing hours-long gridlocks.
Protesters, holding placards inscribed with messages like “We Seek Governor’s Intervention” and “We Say No To Banditry,” urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate action.
In response, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, who visited the scene, assured the community that security forces were working tirelessly.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, other security agencies, and relevant non-state actors were all collaborating to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted woman and the apprehension of those responsible.
