Ondo: Police deploy tactical team to Ilu-Abo community over incessant kidnapping

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Ondo Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal has ordered the immediate deployment and establishment of a Tactical Team Base to be stationed at Ilu-Abo community where there have been recurring incidents of kidnappings in recent times.

Lawal said this while addressing protesters who were showing their disenchantment over recurring abduction of people by gunmen in Ilu-Abo community on Tuesday.

The latest of such abductions which led to the protest was on Monday when gunmen kidnapped a council secretary and two other persons at a poultry farm in the area.
Speaking while addressing the protesters on Tuesday at Ilu abo, Adebowale reassured the people of the community of the unwavering commitment of police to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across all parts of the state.

He urged the protesters to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring them that the Police and other security agencies are working tirelessly to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of all residents.

Adebowale also announced immediate deployment and establishment of a police Tactical Team Base to tackle security concerns at Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese axis and adjoining communities.

The Ondo Police Commissioner said decision is part of proactive measures aimed at strengthening security presence, deterring criminal activities, and ensuring swift response to any security threat in the area.

Ondo Command spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh who announced this in a statement said the tactical team will be made up specially trained operatives drawn from the Command’s elite units, including anti-kidnapping operatives and other tactical formations.

“The team will operate on a 24-hour basis, carrying out intensive patrols, surveillance operations, intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations within Ilu-Abo, Ayede, Ogbese, and surrounding communities,” he said.

Jimoh added that in addition to the deployment, the Command has also intensified joint security operations, stop-and-search exercises, forest combing operations, and intelligence-led raids targeting criminal hideouts and suspected kidnapping networks operating within forested and boundary communities.

“These measures are designed to dismantle criminal syndicates and prevent criminals from using the terrain as safe havens.”

He added that the Ondo Police Commissioner has equally directed all Divisional Police Officers within the affected axis and neighboring divisions to work closely with the tactical team, local vigilantes, hunters, and other community-based security stakeholders to ensure effective intelligence sharing and prompt response to security concerns.

The Ondo Police spokesperson therefore urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that could assist ongoing operations.

“The Command assures residents that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to emphasize that kidnapping and other violent crimes will not be tolerated in any part of the state, and decisive actions will continue to be taken to bring perpetrators to justice.

“Residents are also advised to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement or activities within their communities to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency lines. The Command remains resolute in its mission to protect lives and property and will continue to adopt proactive security measures to ensure that Ondo State remains safe for all,” the statement concluded.