Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Joseph Kayode Aladesuyi, the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area under Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, sparking fear across several communities after the attackers reportedly demanded ₦100 million ransom for his release. The incident, which occurred in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, has drawn widespread concern from residents, political leaders and security agencies amid growing anxiety about kidnapping incidents in the region.
Aladesuyi, who is also the Managing Director of Jotina Farms and a prominent political figure in the area, was reportedly kidnapped on Monday morning while visiting his poultry farm located along Kajola Road in the Ilu-Abo community, near the Akure Airport axis. According to eyewitness accounts and family sources, the council official had arrived at the farm around 9 a.m. accompanied by his daughter to inspect activities at the facility when the attackers struck.
Witnesses said the kidnappers, believed to be about ten armed men, suddenly stormed the farm and began firing sporadically into the air, causing panic among workers and nearby residents. During the attack, the gunmen reportedly overpowered Aladesuyi and two other individuals before dragging them into the surrounding bush. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the abduction, disappearing into nearby forest areas that security agencies believe may be used as hideouts by criminal gangs operating in the region.
A family source revealed that Aladesuyi attempted to resist the kidnappers and struggled with them during the abduction. In the process, one of the attackers allegedly shot him in the hand before forcing him into the bush. Despite the violence of the encounter, the gunmen reportedly spared his daughter, who had accompanied him to the farm, leaving her unharmed but warning her that they were taking her father away.
The attack immediately triggered panic across the Ilu-Abo community and nearby areas. Residents said the sound of gunshots caused widespread fear, prompting parents to rush to nearby schools to withdraw their children. Some schools reportedly shut down temporarily as residents feared that the gunmen could return or carry out additional attacks.
Local leaders described the abduction as part of a disturbing pattern of rising insecurity in parts of Ondo State. Community representatives said that kidnapping and armed attacks have increasingly been reported in several rural areas, leaving many residents feeling unsafe and frustrated with what they describe as insufficient security coverage in vulnerable communities.
The Ondo State Police Command later confirmed the kidnapping and stated that security operatives had launched an immediate search operation. According to the police spokesperson, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, the attackers emerged from a nearby bush before invading the poultry farm and abducting the victims after firing gunshots into the air. Following the incident, the police deployed tactical teams and detectives to the area to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the abducted individuals.
Police authorities also confirmed that the Commissioner of Police ordered the deployment of additional operational and intelligence resources to the affected area. Security personnel, including police operatives, members of the Amotekun security network and local vigilante groups, have been combing nearby forests and surrounding communities in search of the kidnappers.
In the days following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly made contact with the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million for his release. The demand has heightened anxiety among relatives and associates who are now appealing to security agencies and the Ondo State Government to intervene and secure his safe rescue.
Community leaders and political figures have condemned the kidnapping, describing it as a troubling development that threatens the safety of residents and public officials alike. Some residents have also questioned earlier assurances by state authorities that security conditions had improved in the state, pointing to the incident as evidence that criminal groups remain active in rural communities.
The abduction of Aladesuyi has also reignited broader discussions about the persistent problem of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria. Criminal gangs frequently target businessmen, politicians, farmers and other individuals perceived to have financial resources, often abducting victims from farms, highways or residential areas before demanding large ransom payments.
Security experts say the geography of rural communities in parts of southwestern Nigeria, including dense forests and isolated farmland, sometimes allows kidnappers to carry out attacks and evade immediate capture. These areas can serve as temporary hideouts for criminal groups until ransom negotiations are concluded.
Authorities in Ondo State have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing security operations while investigations continue. Police officials emphasized that efforts are ongoing to locate the kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims.
As of the latest reports, Aladesuyi and the other abducted individuals remain in captivity while security agencies intensify search operations. Family members, colleagues and residents across the Akoko and Akure areas continue to hope for his safe return as authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
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