Panic In Ondo As Armed Men Invade Health Centre, Abduct Six Staff

Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have been thrown into fear and uncertainty following a midnight attack by suspected gunmen on a government-owned primary healthcare facility in the Oke Ijebu area of the city, where at least six health workers were reportedly abducted.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, has heightened fresh concerns over the worsening insecurity in parts of the state, especially within Akure and its surrounding communities.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants invaded the health centre at about 2:00 a.m., arriving in what was described as a bus, before forcefully gaining access into the facility and whisking away some staff members on duty.
Sources said the operation was swift and coordinated, leaving both patients and medical personnel at the centre shocked and helpless.
Among those reportedly abducted were at least six health workers, including some interns who were said to have been on night duty when the attackers struck.
One of the patients receiving care at the health centre during the incident narrated that the armed men stormed the premises without warning and immediately began rounding up victims.
“They came in a bus and entered the health centre forcefully. They took some of the workers away, including interns. Nobody could stop them,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact whereabouts of the abducted workers remained unknown, while no official statement had yet been issued by security agencies in the state.
Efforts by PressNGR to obtain a reaction from the Ondo State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, did not connect.
The latest incident has further deepened anxiety among residents, many of whom say attacks, kidnappings, and violent crimes have become increasingly frequent across the state.
Rising Insecurity In Ondo
The abduction adds to a disturbing pattern of violent incidents recorded in Ondo State in recent months.
In February 2026, gunmen reportedly abducted a couple in the Ilu-Abo community of Akure North Local Government Area, prompting security operatives to launch a search for the perpetrators.
Also, in March 2026, kidnappers were said to have abducted a council official alongside another victim in Akure North, with reports indicating that ransom demands were made for their release.
Beyond kidnappings, residents have also expressed alarm over attacks targeting civilians and healthcare workers.
In one separate incident, a health worker was reportedly shot dead in Akure, while his young son was abducted by assailants — a development that further underscored the growing vulnerability of medical personnel and their families.
Similarly, in 2025, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, was reportedly kidnapped from his residence, reinforcing fears over the persistent insecurity confronting health workers in Ondo communities.
Residents Demand Urgent Action
Concerned residents have continued to call on the Ondo State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward tackling criminal activities in the state.
Many have urged authorities to strengthen surveillance, increase security patrols around public institutions, and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted healthcare workers.
The latest attack is expected to spark renewed debate over the safety of medical personnel, especially those working night shifts in public health facilities across the state.