The agrarian community of Ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State has been thrown into tension and panic following the abduction of a woman by heavily armed gunmen.

The victim, identified as Tomilola Oladehinde, was abducted at about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday by six armed men at the entrance of her residence on Liberty Avenue in the community.

Findings revealed that the gunmen had trailed a businessman, John Ofuduwa, to the community before abducting the woman as part of their escape plan.

Ofuduwa, an iron rod dealer at Oba-Ile community, a neighbouring settlement to Ilu-Abo, was shot in the head by the assailants after he was ambushed while attempting to enter his compound.

During the attack, two other persons, a woman identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, who were passing through the area, were also hit by bullets fired by the gunmen.

Sources in the community said the attackers were not kidnappers but gunmen allegedly hired to assassinate the businessman, adding that the other victims, particularly the kidnapped woman, were victims of circumstance.

One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “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, Owo, but he was referred to Ado-Ekiti. We are praying that he will make it.”

The Incident triggered a protest in the community, with residents barricading the busy Akure–Owo highway to express their anger over the rising insecurity in the area.

The protest caused heavy gridlock on the highway for several hours, forcing motorists to take alternative bush routes to reach their destinations.

Armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “We Seek Governor’s Intervention” and “We Say No to Banditry,” the protesters called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and put an end to the security challenges.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, who visited the scene, assured residents that intensive efforts were ongoing, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies and relevant non-state actors, to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted woman and the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the attack. (The Guardian)