Fresh attacks by armed bandits in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have renewed fears about public safety, following the abduction of a couple and the shooting of a resident in Eleyewo community on Friday night.
Police say the assailants struck Eleyewo in Ilu-Abo, abducting Jamiu Olawale and his wife from Olaribigba Estate, barely two days after a traditional ruler, the Alagamo of Agamo, Kehinde Falodun, was murdered in a nearby community within the same local government area.
Eyewitnesses told authorities that the attackers arrived at night, firing gunshots into the air and causing residents to flee their homes in panic. The gunfire, they said, created confusion that allowed the assailants to overpower the area and escape with the victims.
During the incident, a neighbour, Patrick Ilumaro, who was sitting outside his residence, was hit by a bullet. He was rushed to a hospital in Akure, where police say he is currently receiving medical treatment.
The latest assault marks the second attack on Eleyewo community in about a month, raising concerns about the vulnerability of rural settlements to repeat raids. Community members say the frequency of the incidents suggests that residents remain exposed despite earlier security interventions.
Confirming the development, the police said the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has deployed tactical units and conventional operatives to comb surrounding forests and adjoining areas in a bid to rescue the abducted couple and apprehend those responsible.
Police authorities urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, while appealing for credible information that could assist ongoing operations. They say coordinated efforts are underway to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the area.
The spate of violence across communities in Akure North has intensified calls for stronger patrols and sustained surveillance, as residents and local leaders warn that without improved security presence, lives and livelihoods in the affected areas will remain at risk.
