Armed gunmen on Saturday night invaded the Ode Oriya community in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, abducting the town’s traditional ruler, Adeniyi Adelana.
Local sources reported that the assailants stormed the area around 8:00 pm, targeted the 60-year-old monarch’s residence, and forcibly dragged him into a nearby forest corridor.
Confirming the attack on Sunday, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that tactical commands have launched an intensive search and rescue operation within the forest.
“The Ondo State Police Command has launched a coordinated rescue operation following the abduction of a community leader by suspected kidnappers in Ode Oriya Village, Owo Local Government Area of the state.
“Preliminary reports indicate that at about 8:05 pm on the reported date, a group of approximately six armed men stormed the residence of Mr Adeniyi Adelana, aged 60, the Baale of Ode Oriya Village. The assailants reportedly invaded the premises under the cover of darkness and forcefully whisked the victim away through a nearby bush path to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives and other security personnel to the scene. The area was swiftly secured, and a preliminary assessment of the crime scene was conducted as part of ongoing investigative efforts,” the PPRO said.
Jimoh added that the victim’s wife, who sustained a gunshot injury to her right hand during the attack, had been taken to the hospital, where she was receiving treatment.
“She was promptly rescued and taken to a nearby medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment and responding positively to medical care,” he said.
According to him, a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation was activated, with security operatives combing nearby forests, bush paths, and suspected escape routes “in a determined effort to track the movement of the kidnappers, secure the victim’s safe release, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“Tactical deployments have also been strengthened across the area and adjoining communities to enhance operational effectiveness,” he added.
The police spokesman also said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Felix Ohagwu, has directed all tactical units, intelligence assets, and operational teams of the command to intensify efforts toward the swift rescue of the victim and the arrest of those responsible.
“The command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that the victim is reunited safely with his family while all those involved face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO added.
