Suspected kidnappers on Tuesday evening invaded Ayede community, located near the Alagbaka Government Reserved Area (GRA) extension in Akure, the Ondo State capital, abducting a pregnant woman identified as Mrs. Mary Jesulayomi.
The attack, which occurred around 7pm in Ayede community within Akure North Local Government Area, reportedly involved about six armed men who stormed the area and fired sporadically into the air, triggering panic among residents and forcing many to flee for safety.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the assailants targeted a small cluster of homes and shops in the community.
During the operation, an elderly woman, later identified as Madam Ogunleye, was abducted alongside the pregnant victim. She was, however, released shortly after the incident under circumstances that remain unclear.
Her husband, Pa Ogunleye Mese, estimated to be about 90 years old, sustained injuries while the attackers attempted to abduct him as well.
A viral video circulating on social media on Wednesday showed the elderly man recounting how the gunmen invaded his residence and attempted to take both him and his wife away.
According to Pa Ogunleye, his wife was initially tied and taken along with Mrs. Jesulayomi, who had visited their shop to purchase items. While his wife later escaped from the kidnappers, the pregnant woman was not as fortunate and remains in captivity.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said the abduction occurred at about 7:40pm on Tuesday at Ayede community near Alagbaka Extension.
Jimoh disclosed that an elderly woman, aged about 85, was also abducted during the attack but was later released, while her husband sustained injuries in the process.
He added that the Ondo State Police Command had immediately deployed tactical teams to the area and launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
“The Command has mobilised its tactical units, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted pregnant woman and apprehend those behind the attack,” Jimoh said, assuring residents that the police were intensifying security operations to restore calm in the area.
The incident has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in communities on the outskirts of Akure, particularly those close to major government and residential districts.