Panic has gripped the residents of Ondo State following the brutal abduction of a 60-year-old community leader and the near-fatal shooting of his wife by unidentified gunmen. ​The incident, which occurred late last night, has once again raised alarms over the growing wave of insecurity and targeted kidnappings in the region. ​
According to local sources, a gang of heavily armed men stormed the residence of the community head under the cover of darkness. The attackers reportedly gained entry into the compound by breaking through the main security gates, shooting sporadically into the air to terrorize neighbors and deter any immediate rescue attempts.
​Upon entering the building, the gunmen demanded money and valuables before seizing the traditional leader. ​”It was like a war zone,” said a neighbor who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The gunshots were deafening. We all hid under our beds, praying for safety. By the time the dust settled, they had taken him away.”
​In a desperate bid to save her husband, the victim’s wife reportedly attempted to resist the abductors. Her bravery was met with immediate violence, as one of the gunmen shot her at close range before fleeing the scene with the community leader. ​Family members and neighbors rushed the bleeding woman to a nearby tertiary hospital.
Medical personnel confirmed she sustained severe gunshot wounds but is currently in stable condition after undergoing emergency surgery. ​The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and deployed a joint task force comprising anti-kidnapping units, local hunters, and Amotekun corps to comb the surrounding forests.
​The police spokesperson issued a statement assuring the public that the authorities are working tirelessly to secure the victim’s safe release. Police checkpoints have been intensified along major exit routes and intelligence officers are currently interviewing eyewitnesses to establish the identity of the attackers.
