AKURE, Nigeria — Fear and tension have gripped residents of the Ode-Oriya community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State following a brazen weekend assault on the local palace. Heavily armed men invaded the community, abducting the 60-year-old traditional ruler, Chief Adeniyi Adelana, and leaving his wife severely injured.
The victim, who serves as the Baale (village head) of Ode-Oriya, was forcefully taken from his residence on Saturday night under the cover of darkness.
Details of the Midnight Raid
According to local sources and official security reports, the incident occurred at approximately 8:05 p.m. position. A gang of about six heavily armed men stormed the royal compound, firing sporadic gunshots to terrorize the neighborhood.
When the monarch’s wife attempted to escape the onslaught, she was targeted by the attackers. She sustained a severe gunshot wound to her right hand before the assailants forcefully whisked Chief Adelana away through a nearby bush path into an unknown destination.
The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the violent breach on Sunday.
”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,” Jimoh stated.
He added that the Divisional Police Officer for B Division in Owo responded swiftly to a distress call, mobilizing a combined team of tactical operatives to secure the crime scene. The monarch’s wife was rescued by first responders and rushed to an undisclosed medical facility, where authorities say she is responding positively to treatment.
Massive Manhunt Activated
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered the immediate deployment of all tactical units, intelligence assets, and operational teams to track down the kidnappers.
Security forces—including the Nigeria Police Force and the specialized anti-kidnapping squads—have begun combing the vast forest networks, bush paths, and border escape routes linking Owo to surrounding regions.
Government Vows Swift Rescue
Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Government assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in securing the safe release of the traditional head.
In a press statement issued in Akure, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, stated that the state’s frontline security outfit, the Amotekun Corps, has joined forces with the police for a synchronized search-and-rescue operation.
Ajanaku revealed that preliminary intelligence reports show significant progress is being made using modern tracking assets.
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”The government has continued to enhance the operational capabilities of security agencies by providing modern intelligence-gathering equipment, including surveillance drones and other technological assets,” Ajanaku said. “Government remains confident that ongoing operations will yield the desired outcome.”
Community in Shock
The audacious strike against a traditional institution has drawn heavy condemnation from local leaders, who describe it as a direct assault on the cultural heritage and peace of the South-West region. In the wake of the attack, reports indicate a palpable sense of anxiety within Ode-Oriya, with some panicked residents briefly fleeing the village.
The Police Command has urged the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, appealing to residents to provide credible, real-time information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
