The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two staff members of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, by unidentified gunmen on Monday evening, August 4, 2025. 


The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. at the residence of the victims in the Supare-Akoko road area of Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area. One of the abducted staff members has been successfully rescued, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining captive.


According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olushola Ayanlade, one of the victims, Omoniyi Eleyinmi, a faculty officer in the Faculty of Education and a member of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, was among those kidnapped. 


The assailants stormed the residence, overpowering security measures before abducting the duo. 


Swift action by the police led to the rescue of one staff member, whose identity has not been disclosed for security reasons.


“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the rescued individual be debriefed for possible intelligence that may assist in our ongoing efforts to rescue the remaining person,” Ayanlade told the News Agency of Nigeria in Akure on Tuesday. 


The police have deployed tactical and intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with local security outfits to track down the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the second victim.


The abduction has heightened fears among residents of Akungba-Akoko, a community already grappling with rising insecurity. 


A university staff member, speaking anonymously, described the incident as “deeply troubling,” urging authorities to bolster security around the institution and its environs. “We are all shaken. 


This is a wake-up call for more proactive measures to protect lives,” the staff member said.


This incident follows a disturbing trend of abductions in Nigeria, with recent reports of similar attacks in Anambra, Plateau, and Benue states. 


The Ondo State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to apprehending the perpetrators and preventing further incidents. 


Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information to aid ongoing investigations.