Gunmen kill abducted community youth in Ondo, police arrest suspect
Residents of Isua Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into mourning over the weekend after a promising youth, identified as Ojo Abbey, was
- ...Police boss orders installation of CCTV cameras in Churches, Mosques
Residents of Isua Akoko in Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into mourning over the weekend after a promising youth, identified as Ojo Abbey, was reportedly abducted and killed by suspected herdsmen.
The incident occurred on February 22, 2026, when Abbey was returning to Isua Akoko from the neighbouring Ibilo community in Edo State. According to locals, the armed assailants whisked him away into the forest along the Ondo–Edo boundary.
Community youths, together with local hunters, immediately launched a search operation while notifying the police. Tragically, the effort ended in grief when Abbey’s lifeless body was discovered in a forest at Igara community in Edo State.
A source involved in the recovery, who preferred anonymity, revealed that the corpse had begun decomposing, indicating that Abbey may have been killed shortly after the abduction.
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Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Ondo State Police Command spokesman, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said that one suspect had been apprehended and is currently assisting investigators with useful information. He added that the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, had ordered heightened surveillance and strategic deployment of operatives across the area and along the Ondo–Edo boundary to prevent further attacks and apprehend other fleeing suspects.
"The incident was reported at Isua Division at about 19:45 hours on February 22, 2026. The victim’s vehicle, an Almera car with registration number KJA 440 DB, was recovered and secured at the station," he stated.
He, however, assured residents that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
Reacting to the incident, the Isua Youth Forum, in a statement by its National President, Comrade Abimbola Oluwafemi, described the incident as disturbing and frowned at the rising insecurity in the area and the state at large.
The group, however, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the various security agencies in the state to urgently take steps to address the worsening security situation in the state.
"Every individual involved in this heinous crime must be identified, apprehended, and brought to book. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done," the statement said.
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The latest incident comes amid concern by residents of the state over the rising security challenges, particularly in Akure North Local Government Area and the Akoko axis of the state.
The development has forced members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to demand urgent action from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa before the state slides into chaos.
Meanwhile, CP Lawal has called on religious leaders and worship centres in the 18 Local Council Areas of the state to comply strictly with the installation of Closed-Circuit Television cameras in line with the Ondo State Executive Order of 2022.
The commissioner of police gave the order on Sunday while embarking on a statewide inspection of worship centres and a comprehensive security assessment of religious facilities as part of efforts to bolster security and enhance intelligence gathering.
The Nation learnt that the CP and his men visited the NASFAT Central Mosque, Akure; St. Stephen Anglican Church, Ipele; St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ijebu-Owo; Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Owo; Ansarudeen Central Mosque, Owo; Celestial Church of Christ, Uso; NASFAT Mosque, Owo; and Anglican Methodist Church, Owo, among others.
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Lawal charged the religious leaders to remain vigilant and put in place adequate security measures, including proper screening of congregants at entry points and the installation of functional CCTV cameras to aid monitoring and intelligence gathering within their premises.
He also urged residents of the state to promptly provide actionable and credible information to the police, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a collective responsibility.
The CP further directed officers deployed to worship centres to remain steadfast, proactive, and professional in the discharge of their lawful duties at all times
