Residents of Ilu-Abo community in Akure North, Ondo State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday over a recent spike in kidnappings, blocking the Airport–Owo Expressway and causing heavy traffic.
The protest followed the abduction of Oladeinde Tomilola, a middle-aged woman kidnapped on Sunday night at her residence entrance.
Eyewitnesses said armed assailants shot at her vehicle, damaging the fuel tank and tires before abducting her.
Two neighbours who tried to intervene were also shot, one in the head and another in the stomach, and were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Also, a woman and her 11-year-old daughter sustained injuries from stray bullets.
Angry residents, including youths, women, and community leaders, barricaded the highway with logs and stones, chanting for urgent government action to improve security.
Ondo State Police spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Jimoh confirmed that six armed men ambushed John Ofuduwa, shooting him while he drove into his residence, and also abducted Oladeinde Tomilola.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, visited the community, condemning the attacks and assuring that security measures have been reinforced with intelligence-driven patrols to arrest the perpetrators and prevent future incidents.
The protest highlights growing concerns about security and rising incidents of kidnapping in Ondo State.
