The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered the whereabouts of a woman earlier declared missing, finding her in a hotel in the Akoko axis of the state, in a development that has upended initial fears of kidnapping.
The 42-year-old woman, Olatunde Funke, had been reported missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area, after she allegedly left her matrimonial home without notifying her husband or family members.
Her disappearance had sparked widespread anxiety within the community, with residents and local stakeholders circulating her photographs online amid suspicions that she may have been abducted.
Investigations by security operatives, however, revealed that the woman had travelled to Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, covering a distance of over 120 kilometres.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives located her in a hotel in the area, where she was found alongside a 55-year-old man identified as Isa Alaba.
Sources familiar with the probe said early findings suggested that the woman left home voluntarily, contradicting earlier claims that she may have been a victim of crime.
She has since been placed under protective watch while authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and movements.
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Abayomi, said the report had initially triggered a coordinated security response based on fears of abduction.
He lamented that the situation led to avoidable public panic and the deployment of resources that could have been directed to other pressing security concerns.
The police spokesman cautioned the public against raising false alarms, warning that such actions could mislead security agencies and strain operational capacity.
He also stressed the need for better communication among family members, noting that many such incidents could be prevented through timely information sharing.
