Scores feared killed as bandits attack Ondo communities

Suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, leaving multiple residents dead in the early hours of Saturday.

The affected villages—Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun—were stormed by heavily armed gunmen, causing widespread panic and forcing many residents to flee their homes.

A police source confirmed on Monday that security operatives were deployed to the area on Sunday. So far, at least 14 bodies have been recovered, with ongoing search efforts to locate more victims.

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“Our men were immediately deployed in the area when the report got to the command on Saturday. As I’m speaking with you, about 14 dead bodies had been recovered in the villages,” the source stated.

However, a local resident, identified as Sunday, claimed that over 40 people were killed, adding that many bodies were still unaccounted for in the bush.

He disclosed that the attack had started last week Monday but the Friday night attack was the most severe incident.

He said, “They attacked our communities on Friday night when everyone was asleep. They opened fire at everyone in sight. So many ran to the bush for safety while some unlucky ones were killed in the villages. I am sure that over 40 people have been killed while many have sustained injuries.

“On Sunday, the security men came around and recovered some of the corpses. Many are still not found, if they search further they will still find more dead bodies in the bush.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said the investigation had started while men of the command were already in the area to restore normalcy.

She said, “The matter was reported on Saturday that Aba Pastor community was attacked, immediately the command swung into action to ensure normalcy is restored and arrest the perpetrators.”

Also confirming the incident on Monday, the Regent of Ademekun Community, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, who expressed her bitterness over the incident said the bandits killed 14 in her own community.

She said, “Fourteen people were killed last weekend by the herdsmen who infiltrated my community and started shooting sporadically. The community has been battling the herdsmen problem for the past six years.”

Adekemisola, who spoke at a town hall meeting with cocoa farmers on Monday at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Adegbemile, in Akure, said the herdsmen came through the Edo-Ondo boundary to attack the community.

The regent called on the state government and the security agencies in the state to come to the rescue of the communities.