Residents of Eleyewo Community in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, staged a protest on Saturday morning after armed bandits abducted a married couple.
The attackers reportedly kidnapped Jamiu Olawale and his wife, shot a bystander who managed to escape, and caused panic among other residents as gunfire erupted. Angered by the incident, locals blocked the Akure-Owo Expressway, chanting solidarity messages.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the attack in a statement, noting that the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.
“The couple, returning home from their shop in a grey Toyota Camry, were ambushed at the front of their residence by unknown gunmen emerging from nearby bushes,” he said. “The attackers abducted the couple and took them to an undisclosed location. During the attack, a neighbor, Mr. Patrick Ilumaro, sustained a gunshot wound and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he is receiving treatment.”
This incident comes just two days after armed bandits reportedly killed Oba Kehinde Falodun, the monarch of Agamo Community in the same local government area, during an attempted kidnapping. The king was said to have resisted the attackers, which led to his death.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the latest attack, and residents have called for stronger security measures to protect the community from further threats.
