Gunmen kidnap businessman’s wife from home in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

Suspected kidnappers have abducted the wife of a prominent motorcycle dealer, Mrs Morenike Falona, in Ode-Irele, headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The 35-year-old woman was reportedly seized at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday at her husband’s residence located along the Ore Road axis of the town. Sources said the attackers invaded the home in the presence of family members before taking her away.

A source close to the family disclosed that about six armed men stormed the premises and fired several gunshots to scare residents before whisking the victim to an unknown destination.

Residents expressed concern over the development, noting that the abductors had yet to establish contact with the family or make any ransom demand as of Wednesday.

A member of the motorcycle dealers’ association in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as disturbing, adding that it was the first reported kidnapping case in the town in several years.

Reacting to the abduction, the traditional ruler of Ode-Irele, Oba Samuel Omapariola Odimayo, condemned the incident, describing it as a serious threat to the peace and security of the community. He sympathised with the victim’s family and called for her immediate release.

The monarch urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victim unharmed and ensure that those behind the crime were apprehended and prosecuted.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched an investigation and rescue operation. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to the area, assuring residents that all necessary resources were being mobilised to secure the victim’s release and arrest the suspects.