In a distressing incident in Ondo State, armed men believed to be kidnappers launched an attack on Ayede Community, located within Akure North Local Government Area, resulting in the abduction of a pregnant woman named Mrs. Mary Jesulayomi.
The violent event unfolded on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, when the assailants invaded the community near the Federal Secretariat Complex in Akure, discharging firearms into the air and causing widespread alarm among residents.
A 90-year-old community member, Pa Ogunleye Mese, shared his firsthand account in a video obtained by Punch on Wednesday. He described how the attackers arrived around 7 pm and attempted to abduct both him and his wife.
“They stormed our neighborhood yesterday evening, firing shots into the sky. They came directly to my home intending to kidnap me, but I was able to evade capture. Initially, they took my wife along with a pregnant woman who had come to purchase goods from our shop. My wife managed to escape later, but the pregnant woman was taken away,” he recounted.
Confirming the incident, Ondo State Police Command‘s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, stated that security forces have been dispatched to the area to secure the release of the abducted woman.
“The kidnapping occurred at approximately 7:40 pm in Ayede Community, close to Alagbaka Extension, Akure, where Mrs. Mary Jesulayomi was taken,” the police public relations officer explained.
“Additionally, an 85-year-old woman, Mrs. Ogunleye Mese, was also kidnapped but has since been freed. Her husband, Pa Ogunleye Mese, aged 90, sustained injuries during the ordeal.”
He added, “Our tactical units have been deployed to the community, and ongoing operations aim to rescue the victim and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Recent data from the Nigerian Security Tracker indicates a rise in kidnapping incidents in Ondo State by 15% over the past year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced community policing and rapid response mechanisms. Similar attacks in neighboring states have prompted authorities to increase patrols and community engagement initiatives to curb such violent crimes.
