Gunmen Abduct LG Official, Two Others In Ondo

By Ayodele Oni 

Tension and fear gripped residents of Ilu-Abo in Akure North local government area of Ondo State  on Monday, following the abduction of the Chief Executive Officer of a poultry farm, Joseph Kayode was reportedly shot and abducted by unidentified gunmen.

Kayode, currently the secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Authority, LCDA) was Kidnap alonge side two others.

According to sources in the community, the incident occurred while Kayode was on his way to his farm alongside his daughter when the assailants ambushed them.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers were about 10 in numbers and opened fire on the businessman before whisking him away to an unknown destination, leaving residents in shock and confusion.

The sounds of sporadic gunshot, very close to a public school forced parents to hurriedly withdraw their children amid fears of further attacks.

The state police command, in a reaction, confirmed the incident explaining that preliminary information indicates that three armed men, who were masked and suspected to have emerged from a nearby bush, invaded the poultry farm and abducted two persons identified as Joseph Kayode ‘M’ and Easter Akinlolu ‘F’. 

The assailants reportedly fired sporadically into the air before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.

“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a reported case of kidnapping that occurred on Monday, March 9, 2026, at a poultry farm along Kajola Road, Ilu-Abo.

“Upon receipt of the information, the command immediately mobilized tactical teams and detectives to the affected area to commence search and rescue operations, as well as intensify security patrols to prevent further occurrences.

“The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal Psc(+), mnips, has directed that all available operational and intelligence resources be deployed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for the criminal act.

“Security operatives alongside non conventional security outfits are currently combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as part of ongoing efforts to track down the perpetrators.

“The Command understands the concern this incident has generated among residents, particularly parents and school authorities, which has resulted in the temporary closure of schools. 

“However, members of the public are urged to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic.

“Parents, guardians, and community leaders are encouraged to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing operations.”

The state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa had told his interviewers last week that the state was relatively peaceful as no kidnapping case has been recorded since the Owo incident of three years ago.

However since the beginning of the year, especially in Akure North area, a traditional ruler was hacked to death, while resisting abduction, couple whisked away and other open kidnappings in the area.