Ondo, one of the South-West states once known for its peaceful and serene landscape is currently facing a crisis that threatens the very core of its communities: a surge in kidnappings that has left fear, trauma and uncertainty on its residents.
In the past fortnight alone, a wave of kidnappings has left indigenes and residents of the state anxious, businesses strained and security agencies under mounting pressure to curb the tide of abductions that have increasingly crept from remote forests into highways, farms, places of worship and even houses.
At the center of this crisis are communities in the Akure North and Owo Local Government Areas. The most troubling are armed groups striking at night, targeting commuters, farmers and worshippers, and vanishing into thick forests that have long posed security challenges in the South-West state.
Meanwhile, the forests spanning parts of Ose, Owo and Akure North have repeatedly been identified as flashpoints. Their vast terrain provides cover for criminal elements who exploit difficult topography and limited surveillance infrastructure.
For farmers, the impact of the crisis has been immediate and painful. Many farmers now limit how far they venture into plantations while some have abandoned distant plots entirely. “You cannot risk your life for harvest,” a cocoa farmer in Owo said quietly. “We go in groups now. Nobody farms alone,” he added.
The economic consequences are beginning to show. Reduced farming hours mean lower output while lower outputs may eventually lead to scarcity of food.
In the past few days, multiple abduction incidents have been reported across Akure North and Owo LG alone with victims ranging from couples returning from work to worshippers at local churches during church service.
For instance, Jamiu Olawale, and his wife were kidnapped from their home in Ilu Abo (Akure North LG). They were abducted at the front of their house while returning home after a long day at work by gunmen. The abductors requested a ransom payment of N80 million for the release of the couple who recently got married. Fortunately, they were released after spending four harrowing days in captivity.
A relative, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that a ransom of five million naira was paid to secure their release. “Jamiu and his wife were freed by their captors on Tuesday night, and they have since reunited with their family after a payment of N5 million” the source disclosed.
Another particular alarming and heartbreaking case involved the abduction of six worshippers from a church during church service. The attack occurred at about 12:50 a.m. on February 25, at a celestial church located along the Uso/Owo Expressway. The assailants were said to have stormed the premises while members were engaged in worship and whisked six of them away to an unknown destination.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said the attackers fled the scene shortly after carrying out the abduction. Police disclosed they were able to rescue one, but the remaining victims remain in the hands of their captors to date.
Jimoh, stressed that efforts were made with other security agencies to secure the release of the victims. He attributed the rescue of one of the victims to joint effort of security agencies.
He said "Upon receiving the report, the operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilized to the scene and commenced coordinated rescue operations.
"As a result of sustained joint efforts, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued. Additionally, one suspect linked to the incident has been arrested and had made useful statements that is assisting with ongoing investigations. Security operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the apprehension of all perpetrators involved."
An unverified report circulated that the abductors had called and demanded for a sum of N100 million for the release of the victims. However, the report had not been confirmed from authentic source to be true or otherwise.
Fortunately, few days after the incident, the police announced the arrests of eleven suspects in connection to the abduction. Unfortunately, despite the arrests, the where about of the victims still remained unknown.
Such incidents have prompted calls for stronger security measures, including better community policing, intelligence gathering, and quicker response mechanism.
"The rate at which people are being kidnapped is becoming alarming. Before, such incidents happened in the farms and on isolated places, but now, these abductors are bold enough to enter your house and kidnapped you even when you live inside the town. I believe it's high time something is done to stop this crisis," said Joseph, a resident of a community in Akure North LG.
For families who have endured the trauma of abduction, the scars linger long after release. Victims often return with emotional distress, while relatives struggle with debts incurred to secure freedom. "When my friend was kidnapped, I had to send money to his family who are trying to raise ransom payment despite the fact that I wasn't financially buoyant myself," said Wale, a friend of a kidnapped victim.
Beyond monetary cost, families of victims described sleepless nights, anxiety, and constant fear as another factor victims have to deal with.
Traditional rulers and community leaders have also stepped in convening security meetings and urging residents to share credible intelligence. In several towns, youth groups now volunteer information and monitor suspicious movements.
Residents of the affected communities even staged a peaceful protest to show their disdain for what they described as reoccurring insecurity crises in the state.
Meanwhile the Ondo State Government had, in recent time, intensified collaboration with security agencies and the state’s security outfit, Amotekun Corps, to counter the threat. Joint patrols have been expanded, checkpoints reinforced and intelligence gathering strengthened.
In response to the security crisis, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, during the swearing in ceremony of operatives of the Amotekun Corps on Wednesday (the same day the worshippers were kidnapped), has called on men of the agency to work with integrity and safeguard the lives and property of residents.
Aiyedatiwa admitted that no society can prosper where fear reigns. " Security remains the fulcrum upon which development is built. No society can prosper where fear reigns. No economy can thrive where lives and property are unsafe. No government can legitimately claim success if it abdicates its primary responsibility of protecting its people," the governor said.
The police who is the primary agency of security in the state has decried that geographical and environmental factors have complicate policing. According to the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, thick mangrove forests, bush tracks, and isolated settlements in areas such as Iluabo, Agemo, and Ipele make rapid intervention difficult. He noted that some forested areas host numerous camps, with people sometimes brought in from other states without proper profiling, creating blind spots that criminals exploit.
Lawal also said that religious and social activities conducted at night also heighten vulnerabilities when security authorities are not informed. He stressed that while communities must develop, security considerations should be factored into planning, as no area is entirely crime-free. Rapid response is often hampered by distance and difficult terrain, allowing perpetrators to operate with relative impunity.
He said "There are environmental and geographical factors in Ondo North. Some people invite others from places like Kogi or Benue without profiling them. You do not even know what they are doing, but when incidents happen, it becomes the police’s responsibility. We accept the challenge, and we believe that with collaboration, we will get results. If you look at the incidents of kidnapping in Akure North, most of the victims live in isolated areas, the same with Ilu Abo. We are not saying people should not build there, because we cannot prevent development. But we must consider security implications.
He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility, not solely the duty of the police or military. He added "Police are the lead agency when it comes to internal security, but we should not be left alone. The community, and local government chairmen should play their parts, then we will play our own part. With this concerted effort, we will not have these issues."
Despite efforts from government and security agencies, Ondo still lives under a shadow of fear. Every nightfall brings a reminder that danger may be lurking, and every morning offers a cautious hope that the day should pass without tragedy.
For many residents, the question is no longer whether the kidnappings will end, but when. Until then, farmers tread cautiously into their fields, worshippers glance nervously over their shoulders, and families pray that the next knock at the door will not bring another nightmare.
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