Ondo Monarch Killed as Bandits Strike Akure North

Ondo Monarch Killed as Bandits Strike Akure North

Oba Kehinde Falodun, the traditional ruler of Agamọ Community in Akure North Local Government Area, has been killed following a violent bandit attack on his palace, escalating concerns over rising insecurity in Ondo State.

According to community and security sources, the incident occurred on Wednesday evening when armed men invaded the monarch’s residence in what was described as an attempted kidnapping. Residents said the attackers operated in numbers, causing panic within the community and surrounding villages.

The traditional ruler was later found dead close to the palace, prompting immediate intervention by security agencies. The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said a full investigation had commenced.

Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh said operatives were swiftly deployed to the area, with tactical teams working alongside local security outfits to track the suspects. He added that surveillance and patrols have been intensified to prevent further attacks and restore calm.

Security operatives from the police, local hunters, vigilantes, and Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) were involved in combing nearby bushes and forest corridors believed to serve as escape routes for criminal gangs.

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The killing has triggered widespread condemnation from residents and traditional leaders, who described the attack as a grave threat to grassroots leadership and a sign of worsening rural insecurity.

The incident comes amid a spate of violent crimes in Akure North, including recent abductions and armed raids that have unsettled communities and disrupted farming and trading activities. Residents are now calling for sustained military-style operations, improved intelligence gathering, and a stronger security presence in forest-bordering settlements.

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Why Akure North Is Under Threat

Akure North Local Government Area, which surrounds the Ondo State capital, is largely rural and dotted with thick forests, farmlands, and isolated communities. These geographic features have increasingly been exploited by bandits and kidnappers, who use forest routes to launch attacks and evade arrest.

In recent months, Akure North has recorded:

• Kidnappings for ransom, including the abduction of residents from farming communities
• Attacks on villages near forest boundaries
• Arrests of suspected bandits following joint operations by security agencies

Despite periodic arrests, residents say criminal groups often regroup and return, raising concerns about porous security coverage and the need for long-term security infrastructure, including permanent patrol bases and aerial surveillance.

The killing of a sitting monarch has intensified calls for federal intervention, as community leaders warn that continued attacks could undermine local governance, traditional institutions, and economic activities in the area.

Ondo Monarch Killed as Bandits Strike Akure North