Pregnant Woman Abducted in Ondo Community Attack as Elderly Man Recounts Narrow Escape
In a distressing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers launched a brazen attack on Ayede Community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The assailants abducted a pregnant woman, identified as Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, during the violent raid that occurred on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Chaotic Scene as Gunmen Storm Community
The armed attackers stormed the community, which is located just a few metres from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Akure, and began firing sporadically into the air. This sudden outburst of violence threw residents into a state of panic and confusion as they scrambled for safety.
In a video that surfaced on Wednesday, a 90-year-old resident, Pa Ogunleye Mese, provided a chilling account of the invasion. According to his testimony, the gunmen arrived at approximately 7pm and targeted his household directly.
Elderly Couple's Harrowing Ordeal
"They came here yesterday evening and started shooting into the air," Pa Mese recounted. "They came to my house and wanted to kidnap me, but I managed to escape. They initially abducted my wife and a pregnant woman who came to buy something in our shop. My wife later escaped, but they took the pregnant woman away."
The elderly man's escape was nothing short of miraculous, given his advanced age and the violent nature of the attack. His wife, Mrs Ogunleye Mese, aged 85, was also kidnapped during the incident but managed to secure her release later. Unfortunately, Pa Mese sustained injuries during the chaotic confrontation with the assailants.
Police Response and Ongoing Efforts
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the kidnapping incident occurred at about 7:40pm in Ayede Community, near Alagbaka Extension, Akure. He identified the primary victim as Mrs Mary Jesulayomi, the pregnant woman who remains in captivity.
"The command has deployed tactical teams to the area, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators," the Police Public Relations Officer stated emphatically.
This attack highlights the persistent security challenges facing communities in Ondo State and raises serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations, including pregnant women and elderly residents. The proximity of the attack to government institutions like the Federal Secretariat Complex adds another layer of concern regarding security in the region.
As the tactical teams continue their rescue operations, residents remain anxious about the fate of Mrs Jesulayomi and the broader implications for community safety in Akure North Local Government Area.
