Gunmen Kill 34-year-old Man, Abduct Woman in Ondo 

•Youths protest incessant kidnapping 

Fidelis David in Akure 

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a 34 year-old-man, Okudili Okoro and abducted a woman when they invaded Ayede Ogbese, an agrarian community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Ayanlade Olushola, confirmed that the man was shot dead at the scene while a woman simply identified as Orogun was whisked away by the gunmen in two vehicles.

According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had visited the scene and ordered all tactical commanders to do everything possible to ensure that the victim is rescued unharmed and those responsible arrested.

He said, “I can confirm to you that yesterday at about 2030hrs a woman was abducted at Ogbese while one individual was shot. 

“Upon the receipt of this information the Commissioner of Police Ondo State Police Command, CP Adebowale Lawal, has directed all tactical commanders to do everything possible to rescue the said woman and ensure those responsible are brought to book accordingly.

“Okudili Okoro ‘m’ 34 years was shot dead at scene while one Mrs. Orogun was whisked away by the unknown gunmen numbering about 10 in two vehicles.”

He urged the people to cooperate with the police by providing them with credible and timely information about crimes in their locality. 

Following the incident, scores of angry youths yesterday blocked the Ayede Ogbese Road in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State to protest the incessant kidnapping in the community by gunmen. 

The protest came hours after suspected armed men killed Okoro, and abducted a businesswoman, identified simply as Mrs. Orogun, in the community.

Precisely, the protesters blocked the expressway, creating gridlock on the busy road as travellers, including heavy-duty vehicles along the road, were stalled for several hours.

They lamented that kidnapping had become a recurrence in the area, saying their lives and properties were longer secured. 

One of the angry youths, who simply identified herself as Justine, said the people of the area had been neglected, and the poor state of the roads had contributed to the escalating insecurity in the area.

She also accused the security agents who usually mount checked points in the area of not doing enough, alleging that they were not taking their job seriously.

“We don’t have security in Ayede Ogbese anymore. The youths are the ones now providing security. This is sad and very shameful. You can imagine that with the level of security here, we are still experiencing abduction. 

“Even those posted here to check the security situation are not doing enough. Now, the youths are the ones protecting themselves. The government should come and tell us what they are doing about the bad road and the incessant kidnapping.  

“We’re no longer safe. Just yesterday, one of us was killed here by the kidnappers, and another woman who had a shop here was abducted and whisked away. So, why are security agencies on the road not doing their job,” he said.

However, the state Commissioner of Police, Lawal, while addressing the youth assured them of the command’s actions to ensure that those responsible are arrested and the victim rescued.