Monarch killed as gunmen attack Ondo community

Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed the traditional ruler of Ahungha Village in the Agamo area of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Kehinde Jacob Faledun, during a failed abduction attempt.

A family source disclosed that about 10 armed men stormed the monarch’s palace around 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday in an attempt to kidnap him. According to the source, the attackers engaged the monarch in a struggle when he resisted being taken away.

It was gathered that the assailants allegedly shot at the monarch several times, but the bullets did not penetrate his body. He was thereafter reportedly dragged out of the palace, where he was struck on the head with a hard object.

His lifeless body was later discovered a short distance from the palace by family members after the attackers fled the scene.

The monarch’s wife, who witnessed the incident, said the gunmen came through the Itaogbolu axis and were speaking Hausa. She lamented, “They killed my husband in my presence.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the report was received at about 7:50 p.m. from a community leader, High Chief Ajewole Clement of New Town, Itaogbolu.

According to Abayomi, six armed men stormed the monarch’s residence, forcibly took him from his compound, and fled. “The victim was later found a few meters away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the scene,” he stated.

He added that the Divisional Police Officer, alongside tactical teams, immediately mobilised officers in collaboration with local security outfits, including the Atuluse Security group, local hunters, and Amotekun operatives, to comb nearby bushes and surrounding areas in search of the suspects.

“Efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects. Monitoring and surveillance activities have been intensified across the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order,” Abayomi said.

The Police Command assured residents that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice and urged members of the public with credible information to report to the nearest police station or contact the command.