Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
AKURE, Nigeria — Residents of Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State took to the streets on Monday in a spirited demonstration against rising insecurity and frequent kidnappings, following a violent gun attack on Sunday night that left a woman abducted and three others injured. The protest, which brought parts of the Airport-Owo Expressway to a standstill for hours, reflects deepening frustration among locals over threats to life and property in the area.
The violent incident unfolded around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, when a gang of about six armed men reportedly stormed the Ilu-Abo neighbourhood, opening fire on residents and targeting a vehicle at the entrance of a home on Liberty Avenue. The assailants first shot at the vehicle’s fuel tank and tyres to force it to a halt before abducting the woman, identified as Oladeinde Tomilola, and whisking her away to an unknown location.
During the attack, several neighbours who tried to intervene were caught in the crossfire. Three people — a man, a woman and her 11-year-old daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi — were struck by gunfire and sustained varying degrees of injuries as the gunmen fired indiscriminately before fleeing the scene. All injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
News of the abduction and shootings quickly spread through the community, prompting hundreds of residents — including youths, women and local leaders — to march onto the Airport-Owo highway on Monday morning. Protesters barricaded the busy expressway with logs, stones and other objects, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with messages such as “We Say No to Banditry” and “We Seek Government Intervention” as they demanded urgent action from state authorities and security agencies to address the escalating insecurity.
One protest leader, Reverend Johnson Adajah, told journalists the demonstration was driven by mounting fear and anger over repeated attacks in the community. “We are calling on the governor and security agencies to take decisive action,” he said, emphasising that residents can no longer live in constant fear of gunmen operating freely in their midst.
The attack also reportedly involved a separate incident in which a man, identified as John Ofuduwa, was ambushed and shot while driving into his residence, suffering a gunshot wound during the chaos.
In response to the protests and concerns, Ondo State Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal visited the scene, engaging with community members and assessing security needs. According to police sources, the command has bolstered patrols and deployed additional tactical and intelligence-driven units to the area to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further attacks. Lawal condemned the assault as “a senseless act of violence” and reassured residents that efforts are underway to strengthen security presence and restore public confidence.
The police commissioner also met with traditional leaders, including Oba Samuel Oluyemi Falae (Oluabo of Ilu-Abo), who condemned the night attack and pledged the support of local vigilante groups to assist law enforcement in combating criminal elements. Authorities have urged community members to remain vigilant and share credible information to aid ongoing investigations.
The protest in Ilu-Abo comes amid growing concerns over insecurity across Ondo State, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where residents have increasingly reported kidnappings, armed attacks and other violent crimes. Community leaders and civil society advocates have repeatedly called for more visible security measures, permanent checkpoints and enhanced collaboration between security agencies and local communities to curb the menace.
As of now, the whereabouts of the abducted woman remain unknown, and no ransom demand has been made public. Security agencies are continuing investigations, with heightened patrols and strategic operations aimed at bringing the attackers to justice and ensuring the safe release of victims.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments