By Ayomide Otitoju
Ondo State has witnessed two fatal attacks allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen, heightening concerns over rural security in the region.
On Monday night, a middle-aged farmer, identified as Ben Daniels, was killed while returning from his farm near Ayede-Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area. Daniels and another man, James Unekwu, were riding a motorcycle around 9:00 p.m. when they were ambushed. Unekwu managed to escape, but Daniels was reportedly shot and his body dumped along the roadside.
Aggrieved residents protested on Tuesday by blocking the highway, calling on government and security agencies to address persistent insecurity in the area.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident. “The report was received on Monday night. Police operatives promptly mobilised, evacuated the corpse, and deposited it at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy,” he said. Jimoh added that the survivor is currently under police protection. He appealed to residents to avoid obstructing roads and to allow security agencies to handle the situation.
Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal reassured the public of the command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a separate incident, a youth leader in Isua-Akoko, Ojo Abbey, popularly known as Obesere, was found dead days after being allegedly abducted on February 22, 2026, while returning from Edo State. His decomposing body was discovered in a forest near Igara, Edo State, last Saturday.
DSP Jimoh confirmed that a suspect linked to Abbey’s killing is in police custody assisting with investigations. “Following the report of Abbey’s abduction, patrol teams were immediately deployed. His vehicle, a Nissan Almera (KJA 440 DB), was recovered and secured,” he stated.
The police have intensified surveillance and strategic deployments across affected areas, particularly along the Ondo–Edo boundary, to prevent further attacks and apprehend remaining suspects, Commissioner Lawal said.
