The Ondo State police command has said a pregnant woman was abducted by gunmen at Ayede community in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The state police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed the abduction on Wednesday in Akure, said operatives had been deployed to rescue the victim unhurt.

Mr Jimoh said, “Upon receipt of the report, the command deployed tactical teams to the scene. Efforts are ongoing towards the rescue of the victim and apprehension of the perpetrators of the crime.”

Meanwhile, a resident of the community who spoke to journalists on condition of  anonymity said that the incident happened a few metres away from the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro, Akure, on Tuesday at about 7:00 p.m.

“The kidnap occurred yesterday (Tuesday) around 7:40 p.m. at Ayede community near Alagbaka Extension, Akure, where one Mrs Mary Jesulayomi was captured and taken away by gunmen.

“In addition, Mrs Ogunleye Mese, 85 years old, was also kidnapped but was later released, while her 90-year-old husband, Pa Ogunleye Mese, suffered severe injury in the process,” the source said.

Between Saturday, January 24 and January 27, 2026, three kidnap cases have been reported in three communities in the Akure North Local Government Area.

On January 24, four people were kidnapped in the Eleyewo community, while two of the victims were rescued by the police.

Also, on January 25, a woman was kidnapped at Ilu-Abo, while three residents were shot by gunmen during the incident.

(NAN)