Date: March 28, 2026 l Reporter: Mr Victor
Gunmen have launched a deadly midnight attack on a healthcare facility in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, abducting at least six health workers in a coordinated operation that has sparked fresh fears over rising insecurity in Nigeria’s southwest region.
According to reports, the attackers stormed the facility around 2:00 a.m., forcefully gaining entry into the premises and rounding up staff who were on duty at the time. Witnesses said the gunmen, believed to be heavily armed, operated with speed and precision, leaving little opportunity for resistance as they whisked the victims away to an unknown location.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the assailants arrived in a vehicle and immediately took control of the situation, gathering healthcare workers including interns and nurses before fleeing the scene. Patients receiving treatment at the facility were reportedly left unharmed during the incident, though the attack has left the community shaken.
Initial reports indicated that the abducted workers were taken into nearby bush areas, where some of them were allegedly forced to transfer money to their captors. Sources later confirmed that at least three of the victims regained their freedom after the payment of ransom, while efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining individuals.
Security agencies have since responded to the incident, with the Ondo State security outfit, Amotekun Corps, confirming that some victims were rescued during a rapid overnight operation. Officials stated that the rescue followed a confrontation with the attackers, resulting in the safe recovery of several abducted individuals.
However, the Ondo State Police Command has offered a slightly different account, describing the incident as a robbery rather than a full-scale abduction. Police spokespersons noted that the attackers dispossessed victims of personal belongings before taking them away and later abandoning them in a bush area.
Authorities have launched an intensive investigation into the attack, with security operatives deployed to track down the perpetrators. The police have also assured residents that measures are being strengthened to prevent further incidents, including increased patrols and collaboration with local security groups.
The incident adds to growing concerns about safety in parts of Nigeria, particularly as attacks targeting civilians and essential service providers continue to rise. Stakeholders warn that assaults on healthcare facilities not only threaten lives but also disrupt critical medical services in affected communities.
As investigations continue, residents remain on edge, hoping for the safe return of all abducted workers and stronger security interventions to curb the wave of violence in the region.