Suspected gunmen have abducted the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Joseph Aladesuyi, along with two other persons at a poultry farm located on Kajola Road, Ilu-Abo in Akure North.
The incident, which occurred close to the Akure Airport, caused widespread panic in nearby communities, forcing several schools in the area to shut down abruptly.
Residents said the sound of sporadic gunshots sent fear across the community, prompting parents to rush to schools to pick up their children amid fears of a possible attack.
One parent said she immediately went to withdraw her child from school after hearing about the gunfire.
“We heard gunshots around the airport area, and people started calling that kidnappers were around. Parents became afraid and rushed to pick their children from school,” she said.
A local resident revealed that the attackers invaded the area at about 9:00 a.m., firing repeatedly into the air, which caused panic among farmers, workers, and residents in surrounding communities.
Aladesuyi, who is also the Managing Director of Jotina Farms, was reportedly heading to his poultry farm with his daughter when the gunmen ambushed them.
According to the resident, about 10 armed men carried out the attack.
“The Managing Director arrived at his farm around 9:00 a.m. with his daughter. Shortly after, the kidnappers, who were about 10 in number, began shooting into the air,” the resident said.
“They dragged him away, but he struggled with them. One of the gunmen then shot him in the hand before taking him to an unknown destination.”
The attackers reportedly spared his daughter but told her directly that they were abducting her father.
Residents say they are now anxiously waiting for the kidnappers to make contact, expressing concern over his condition after sustaining a gunshot injury.
Community leader, Chief Albert Adeyemi, lamented the rising insecurity in the area, saying residents are tired of repeated promises.
“We can no longer accept promises. Kidnapping has become a recurring nightmare, and immediate action is needed,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the attackers were masked and believed to have emerged from a nearby bush before invading the poultry farm.
He explained that the assailants fired several shots into the air before abducting two victims identified as Joseph Kayode and Easter Akinlolu, after which they fled to an unknown location.
Abayomi stated that security operatives were immediately deployed to the area following the report.
“Upon receiving the information, the command quickly mobilised tactical teams and detectives to the scene to begin search and rescue operations and to strengthen security patrols in the area,” he said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to ensure the victims are rescued safely and those behind the attack are arrested.
According to him, security personnel, working alongside local security outfits, are currently combing nearby forests and neighbouring communities in an effort to track down the kidnappers.
The police also acknowledged the fear the incident has generated among residents, particularly parents and school authorities, which led to the temporary closure of some schools.
However, the command urged residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information that could heighten panic.
Parents, guardians, and community leaders were also encouraged to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by providing useful information that could aid ongoing rescue operations.
