Gunmen Abduct Ondo Council Official, Two Others Near Akure Airport

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers 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 near Akure Airport.

Aladesuyi, who also serves as the Managing Director of Jotina Farms, was reportedly kidnapped on his farm located in the Kajola area of Ilu-Abo, about five kilometres from the airport.

The incident occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday, triggering fear among residents of the community, which has experienced several cases of killings and abductions in recent months.

Sources said about ten armed men stormed the farm and began shooting into the air before seizing the victims and fleeing into the surrounding forest.

A family member disclosed that Aladesuyi had arrived at the farm earlier in the morning with his daughter when the attackers struck.

According to the source, the gunmen dragged him away and shot him in the hand during the attack, while his daughter was left unharmed after the kidnappers told her they were taking her father.

The identities of the other two abducted persons had not been confirmed as of the time of filing this report, and the kidnappers had yet to contact the family with any ransom demand.

The gunshots reportedly caused panic in the area, prompting parents to withdraw their children from nearby schools.

Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups, have since launched a search operation in nearby forests believed to be the kidnappers’ escape route.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said he had not yet received official details about the incident.

The abduction comes amid ongoing security concerns in the state. Recently, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated that no bandits or terrorists have operated in Ondo State since the 2022 Owo church attack, assuring residents that security agencies remain vigilant.