Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday night stormed Olaribigba Estate in Ilu Abo community, Akure, abducting a couple, Jamiu Olawale and his wife, while shooting their neighbour during the attack.
The incident, which occurred around 9.45 p.m. on February 20, 2026, threw residents of the agrarian community into panic as the armed men reportedly laid ambush for the victims before striking.
According to sources, the couple had just returned from their shop in an ash coloured Toyota Camry when the assailants, said to be about six in number, emerged from a nearby bush and attacked them at the frontage of their residence.
The gunmen allegedly fired sporadically into the air when the couple attempted to raise alarm, before whisking them away to an unknown destination.
A neighbour, identified as Patrick Ilumaro, who was seated in front of his house at the time of the attack, sustained a gunshot wound. “He was subsequently rushed to the hospital for treatment and is currently responding to care,” a source said.
The development sparked tension in the area, as angry residents barricaded the road leading into the estate in protest.
They lamented the recurring cases of abduction and killings in the community, alleging that kidnappers had targeted residents repeatedly over the past year, with victims forced to pay millions of naira as ransom while others lost their lives.
Reacting, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted couple.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, said the Command received information about the abduction at about 9.45 p.m.
“The assailants forcefully abducted the couple and whisked them away to an unknown destination before help could reach the scene. During the incident, a neighbour, Mr. Patrick Ilumaro, who was seated in front of his residence, sustained a gunshot wound. He was immediately rushed to hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment and responding to care,” Abayomi stated.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, had mobilised security assets to the area.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical teams alongside conventional operatives to comb the surrounding bushes and adjoining areas with a view to rescuing the victims unharmed and apprehending the perpetrators,” he said.
The Command appealed to residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible information that could aid the ongoing operation, assuring that concerted efforts were being made to secure the safe return of the victims and bring those responsible to justice.
