Suspected bandits launched a deadly attack on four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, leaving several residents feared dead in the early hours of Saturday.
The affected villages—Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun—were invaded by gunmen who reportedly opened fire indiscriminately, forcing many residents to flee for their lives. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, reports indicate that scores of people were killed in the attacks.A police source confirmed on Monday that officers had been deployed to the affected areas on Sunday, and that at least 14 bodies had been recovered so far, with ongoing search efforts.
“Our men were immediately deployed when we received the report on Saturday. So far, 14 bodies have been recovered, and search operations are still ongoing,” the source stated.
However, a local resident, identified as Sunday, insisted that the death toll was much higher, claiming that over 40 people may have been killed, with many bodies still missing in the bush.
“They attacked on Friday night, catching everyone in their sleep. They shot at anyone in sight, forcing many to flee into the bush. Unfortunately, some were not so lucky. I am certain that more than 40 people were killed, and many others were injured,” he recounted.
According to him, the attacks had started earlier in the week, but the Friday night assault was the deadliest.
“Security operatives came on Sunday and recovered some bodies, but many are still unaccounted for. If they continue searching, more corpses will be found in the bush,” he added.
Police and Community Leaders Confirm Attack
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident, stating that investigations were underway and that officers had been deployed to restore normalcy.
“The attack was reported on Saturday, and we immediately took action to restore peace and track down the perpetrators,” she said.
Similarly, the Regent of Ademekun Community, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, also confirmed the incident, expressing deep sorrow over the continued violence in the area.
“In my community alone, 14 people were killed last weekend by herdsmen who stormed the area and started shooting indiscriminately,” she lamented.
Adekemisola, who spoke during a town hall meeting with cocoa farmers in Akure, revealed that the attackers came from the Edo-Ondo boundary, a route often exploited by criminals.
Calls for Urgent Action
With violence escalating in these communities, the regent has called on the Ondo State Government and security agencies to step in urgently to protect lives and property.
For the residents, the fear of another attack remains high, as many are still too afraid to return to their homes.
Many Feared Dead as Bandits Attack Ondo Communities
