Residents Protest As Gunmen Shoot Man, Abduct Woman, Injure Child In Ondo Community

Akure, Ondo State– Residents of Liberty Avenue in the Iluabo area of Ondo State were thrown into panic on Sunday night after gunmen carried out an attack that left one man shot, a woman abducted, and two other victims, including an 11-year-old girl, injured.

AfrikaEyes gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at about 8:00pm, when about six armed men, whose identities are yet unknown, ambushed and opened fire on a resident, John Ofuduwa, while he was driving into his residence.

According to preliminary information, Ofuduwa, a male adult, was attacked while entering his compound in a Toyota Camry saloon car with Abuja registration number GWA 674 CM.

During the ambush, the assailants reportedly fired multiple shots, hitting him and causing a gunshot injury.

In the same incident, a neighbour, identified as Oladeinde Tomilola, a female who was also about to enter her compound at the time of the attack, was abducted by the gunmen and taken to an unknown destination.

Furthermore, two other residents, Victoria, a female, and her daughter, Victoria Olorunfemi, an 11-year-old girl, who were passing through the area when the shooting started, sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of the gunfire.

Residents of the area were said to have staged a spontaneous protest following the attack, expressing anger and frustration over the worsening security situation in the community.

All injured victims were, however, promptly rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

Reacting to the development, the Ondo State Police Command reiterated its sustained commitment to crime prevention and the protection of lives and property across the state through continuous patrols, intelligence-led operations, and strategic deployments in vulnerable areas.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Command expressed regret over the incident despite what it described as ongoing security efforts.

“Despite these ongoing efforts, the Command regrets to report that on Sunday, 25th January, 2026, at about 8:00pm, a violent incident occurred at Liberty Avenue, Iluabo area, Ondo State,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson confirmed that about six armed men ambushed and shot John Ofuduwa while he was driving into his residence, leading to his sustaining a gunshot injury.

He also confirmed the abduction of Oladeinde Tomilola and the injuries sustained by Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter during the incident.

In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, visited the scene on Monday as part of ongoing operational oversight.

During the visit, he assessed the situation and engaged with community members.

CP Lawal  condemned the attack and reassured residents that existing security frameworks in the area have been reinforced with additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures.

He assured that these measures are aimed at ensuring the swift arrest of the perpetrators, rescuing the abducted victim, and preventing a recurrence of such incidents.

Following his on-the-spot assessment, the Commissioner of Police also paid a visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Samuel Oluyemi Falae, CFR, GCON, the Oluabo of Iluabo.

During the visit, the monarch strongly condemned the criminal act and pledged his full support to the police in ensuring that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

Oba Falae assured the Commissioner that the palace would mobilise and make available community vigilante groups to complement ongoing police efforts.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies, stressing that community support is critical to ridding the area of criminal elements.

As a demonstration of inter-agency collaboration, the Commander of the 32 Brigade Artillery of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Justin Ifeanyi, joined the Commissioner of Police during the assessment of the situation.

Brig. Gen. Ifeanyi assured residents that the Nigerian Army would provide all necessary support to ensure the apprehension of the attackers and the safe rescue of the abducted woman.

The Commissioner of Police further emphasised that effective policing is best achieved through synergy, vigilance, and active collaboration between security agencies and the public.

He urged residents to promptly volunteer credible and actionable information that could aid investigations and enhance community safety.

The Ondo State Police Command assured the general public that intensive efforts are ongoing, in close collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies, and relevant non-state actors, to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victim and the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the attack.