Residents of Ilu Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State staged a protest on Monday over repeated attacks by gunmen in the area.
The protest followed the abduction of a woman, Tomiola Oladehinde, who was reportedly taken by unidentified gunmen at the entrance of her residence on Sunday evening.
An eyewitness said the assailants stormed the neighbourhood and targeted the victim’s vehicle. The gunmen allegedly fired at the car’s fuel tank and tyres to force it to stop before taking her to an unknown location.
The eyewitness added that neighbours who raised the alarm and tried to seek help were also shot before the attackers escaped from the community.
“The incident caused a stampede, and during the chaos, three neighbours of the victim were shot — a man, a woman and her daughter, but they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment,” the eyewitness stated.
The incident sparked outrage, prompting hundreds of residents to block major roads while chanting solidarity songs. Protesters carried placards with messages such as “We say no to banditry,” “We seek Mr Governor’s attention,” and “Mr Governor, save our souls,” among others.
Speaking during the protest, one of the leaders, Reverend Johnson Adajah, said the action was aimed at drawing attention to worsening security challenges in the community. He noted that four residents were affected, with three sustaining serious injuries and one abducted.
“We are appealing to the governor and the security agencies to look into the issue and protect us. We don’t want to be living in fear in this community,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said in a statement on Monday that gunmen attacked residents, abducted one person and injured others.
He said, “Preliminary information revealed that about six armed men, whose identities are yet unknown, ambushed and opened fire on one John Ofuduwa while he was driving into his residence in a Toyota Camry saloon car with Abuja registration number GWA 674 CM, during which he sustained a gunshot injury.
“In the same incident, a neighbour, Oladeinde Tomilola, who was also about to enter her compound, was abducted by the attackers. Furthermore, two other persons, Victoria and her daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi, aged 11, who were passing through the area, sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of the gunfire.
“However, all injured victims were promptly rushed to hospital for medical attention.”
Jimoh added that the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawa, visited the scene on Monday to assess the situation and meet with community members.
“He condemned the attack in strong terms and reassured residents that existing security frameworks have been reinforced with additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures to ensure the swift arrest of the perpetrators and to forestall any future occurrence,” Jimoh stated.