Residents of Oke Ijebu in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into alarm on Saturday following a midnight raid by armed robbers on a local health centre. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., saw the attackers abduct staff members and abscond with valuables.
Reports indicate that three suspects, armed with a pump-action rifle and cutlasses, gained access to the facility by scaling its perimeter fence. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the intruders targeted the personnel on duty, seizing their personal effects, including mobile phones and a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, before abducting them.
"At about 2:00 a.m., three suspects, allegedly armed with a pump-action rifle and cutlasses, invaded a health centre located in Oke Ijebu. They forcefully dispossessed three persons on duty of their personal belongings and subsequently whisked them away," Jimoh stated.
Police investigations suggest the assailants arrived in an unregistered black Toyota Venza, which was parked on the main road, indicating a planned operation. The abducted staff were taken towards the Olokoto axis along Ondo Road, where they reportedly faced further mistreatment.
"Preliminary investigation shows that the suspects ordered the victims to remove their clothing and later abandoned them in the bush before fleeing. The victims later found refuge with the nearby staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service," a police source confirmed.
The Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, has visited the scene and initiated a comprehensive, intelligence-led investigation. He has also ordered the deployment of tactical and surveillance teams to apprehend the perpetrators.
The police command has condemned the incident, labelling it a "reprehensible act of criminality," and has pledged to implement proactive security measures to prevent future occurrences. Patrols have been increased, and collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups has been enhanced.
Separately, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, has claimed responsibility for rescuing six health workers. The Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, also confirmed the rescue of a 45-year-old man and his 15-year-old son, who had been kidnapped on Friday night at Pelebe, near Oda Akure Road.
Adeleye reassured the public that the safety of lives and property remains a paramount concern for the state government. He encouraged citizens to continue reporting timely information to security agencies, stressing the importance of collective efforts in bolstering security across the state.
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