Residents of communities around Akure Airport, Ilu-Abo and neighbouring areas of Ondo State were thrown into panic on Monday morning following reported gunshots that forced the sudden closure of schools in the area.
The development led to anxious parents rushing to schools to withdraw their children as rumours of insecurity spread quickly across the communities.
The situation became more alarming after the Secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Joseph Aladesuyi, and two other persons were reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen at Kajola village in Ilu-Abo, near the Akure Airport.
Residents said the attackers struck at about 10:00 a.m., firing gunshots into the air and causing panic among farmers, workers and other residents in nearby communities.
A parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many parents hurried to schools immediately after hearing the gunshots.
“We heard gunshots around the airport area this morning and people started calling that kidnappers were around. Parents became afraid and rushed to pick their children from school,” the parent said.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies are yet to release an official statement on the incident.
However, residents noted that security patrols had been sighted around the affected communities.
Efforts to get confirmation from the Ondo State Police Command were unsuccessful
