By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Ondo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for assailants who attacked four communities in Akure North Local Government Area, leaving several people dead.
The exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, but the affected communities—Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun—suffered heavy losses. A resident, Sunday, claimed that over 40 people were killed, while the Regent of Ademekun, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, reported 14 deaths.
However, the police confirmed receiving reports of an attack on Sunday Camp community. Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, led a team for an on-the-spot assessment but was halted at Utese, as the communities could only be accessed through Edo State.
Survivors met the police at the boundary, explaining that reaching Sunday Camp required a five-hour motorcycle journey. Afolabi later visited Emiloju Medical Centre in Okada, Edo State, where survivors were receiving treatment.
One survivor, John, who was shot in the hand, said at least nine bodies were recovered from the attack site at Sunday Camp.
According to him, “I was sleeping when I heard gunshots. It was when I suddenly woke up that I realized the person who was sleeping beside me had already been shot. I was able to run into the bush before entering a cocoa plantation where I was able to hide till daybreak.
On his part, Solomon Simon said the attack happened around 2:00 am.
“I was not deep asleep. They made a kind of loud call before they began to open fire all around the camp. I summoned courage to flee the house before they could get to my own place. But two of my friends could not make it.”
The CP ordered the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.
He urged the public to inform the Police of any incident and verify reports before dissemination to avoid causing panic in the state.