Stress gripped residents of Oke Ijebu in Akure South Native Authorities Space (LGA) of Ondo State on Saturday following a brazen midnight assault by armed robbers who invaded a well being centre, kidnapped workers, and fled with valuables.
THISDAY gathered that the incident, which occurred round 2 a.m., noticed three armed suspects who have been wielding a pump-action rifle and cutlasses storming the power after scaling its perimeter fence.
Confirming the event, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the assailants focused personnel on obligation, dispossessing them of private belongings, together with cellphones and a Level of Sale (POS) terminal.
“At about 2:00 a.m., three suspects, allegedly armed with a pump-action rifle and cutlasses, invaded a well being centre positioned in Oke Ijebu. They forcefully dispossessed three individuals on obligation of their private belongings and subsequently whisked them away.”
Police sources revealed that the attackers arrived in an unregistered black Toyota Venza, which was strategically parked alongside the principle highway earlier than the operation, suggesting premeditation.
The command acknowledged that the kidnapped workers was taken in direction of the Olokuta axis alongside Ondo Street, the place they have been subjected to additional humiliation.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects ordered the victims to take away their clothes and later deserted them within the bush earlier than fleeing. The victims later discovered refuge with the close by workers of the Nigerian Correctional Service.”
He famous that the Commissioner of Police within the state, Adebowale Lawal, had visited the scene and ordered a full-scale, intelligence-driven investigation into the incident.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the deployment of tactical and surveillance groups to trace down the perpetrators and guarantee they’re dropped at justice.”
Condemning the assault, the police described it as a “reprehensible act of criminality,” whereas assuring residents that proactive measures could be taken to forestall a recurrence.
“The command condemns this act in robust phrases and reassures residents that ample safety measures have been put in place. Patrols have been intensified, and collaboration with different safety businesses and native vigilante {groups} has been strengthened.”
In the meantime, the Ondo State Safety Community Company, codenamed Amotekun, stated it was accountable for the rescue of the well being staff.
The Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, who confirmed the event, disclosed that it equally rescued a 45-year-old man and his 15-year-old son who have been kidnapped at Pelebe on the outskirts of Oda Akure Street on Friday evening.
The Amotekun commander assured residents that the protection of lives and property stays a prime precedence for the state authorities.
He urged members of the general public to proceed to offer well timed and ample data to safety businesses, emphasising the necessity for collective efforts to boost security throughout the state.
Fidelis David
Times Nigeria