Gunmen kill one, abduct shop owner in Ondo community

A man identified as Okudili Okoro has been killed, and a businesswoman abducted by gunmen in Ayede Ogbese, a community in Akure North LGA of Ondo state.

The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Local sources say the attackers, numbering about ten, arrived in two unregistered vehicles and began shooting sporadically before abducting the shop owner, Mrs Orogun.

“It was a sad incident. They came in two vehicles to kidnap two women who sell provisions and cosmetics. Unfortunately, in the process, they shot Okoro dead and whisked away Mrs Orogun,” a resident who pleaded anonymity said.

The assailants reportedly escaped through the Akure/Owo road, bypassing security checkpoints.

Olayinka Ayanlade, spokesperson of the Ondo police command, confirmed the incident on Friday.

He said the attackers fled in two unregistered vehicles, a silver EOD car and a grey Toyota Camry, heading in opposite directions.

Ayanlade said Adebowale Lawal, the commissioner of police in the state, has visited the crime scene and directed tactical commanders to ensure the victim is rescued unhurt and the perpetrators brought to justice.

His words: “We urge the good people of Ondo state to cooperate with us. Anyone with relevant information should please come forward.”

The attack comes two weeks after Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a staff member of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), was kidnapped by a seven-man gang and released after his family paid a N5 million ransom.

The police later arrested the suspects, including Benson Alaba, a commercial motorcyclist, who was said to have facilitated the abduction.

Others arrested are Wasiu Ogungbemi (42), Audu Shaibu (25), Ismaila Abdullahi (24), Nuru Bature (18), Usman Baba (20), and Yusuf Muhammed (23).