A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Joseph Kayode, has been kidbapped alongside a woman identified as Esther Akinlolu.
Kayode is the secretary of Okeluju Local Council Development Area in Akoko North-West Local Government Area.
The duo were abducted at a poultry farm in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesman in the state, Abayomi Jimoh said the victims were kidnapped on Monday morning at their farm along Kajola Road, Ilu-Abo.
Jimoh said preliminary information available to the command indicated that three armed men, who were masked and suspected of having emerged from a nearby bush, invaded the poultry farm.
According to him, the assailants reportedly fired sporadically into the air before whisking the victims away to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of the information, the command immediately mobilised tactical teams and detectives to the affected area to commence search and rescue operations, as well as intensify security patrols to prevent further occurrences.
“The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, directed the deployment of all available operational and intelligence resources to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the suspects.
“Security operatives, alongside non-conventional security outfits, are currently combing nearby forests and surrounding communities as part of ongoing efforts to track down the perpetrators.
“The command understands the concern this incident has generated among residents, particularly parents and school authorities, which has resulted in the temporary closure of schools.
“However, members of the public are urged to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic.
“Parents, guardians and community leaders are encouraged to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing operations,” the spokesperson said.
