By Our Reporter
The Ondo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for gunmen who abducted a pregnant woman in Ayede community, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The state police spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying tactical teams had been deployed to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
“Upon receipt of the report, the command deployed tactical teams to the scene. Efforts are ongoing towards the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the perpetrators,” Jimoh said.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the abduction occurred on Tuesday evening near Alagbaka Extension, close to the Federal Secretariat in Igbatoro, Akure.
According to the source, the pregnant woman, identified as Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, was taken away by gunmen around 7:40 p.m. during the attack.
The source added that an 85-year-old woman, Mrs Ogunleye Mese, was also abducted but later released, while her 90-year-old husband, Pa Ogunleye Mese, sustained serious injuries during the incident.
The latest abduction comes amid a spate of kidnappings in Akure North Local Government Area. Between January 24 and January 27, at least three separate kidnap incidents were reported across different communities in the area.
On January 24, four persons were kidnapped in Eleyewo community, although two of the victims were later rescued by the police. A day later, another woman was abducted at Ilu-Abo, where gunmen also shot three residents.
Police said investigations are ongoing as efforts intensify to rescue the abducted victims and restore security in the area.