Married Woman Declared Missing in Ondo Found in Hotel with another Man – Police

A 42-year-old woman, Olatunde Funke, who was earlier declared missing in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, has been found in a hotel in the Ugbe-Akoko area, ending days of anxiety but raising fresh questions over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Ilara-Mokin, located in Ifedore Local Government Area, is approximately 124 kilometres from Ugbe-Akoko in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, with a travel time of about two hours and 40 minutes under normal conditions.

According to a source familiar with the case, the woman’s husband raised the alarm after she reportedly left their matrimonial home without prior notice, triggering panic within the community.

“Her disappearance caused serious concern. Family members and residents feared the worst,” the source said.

However, security operatives later traced her to a hotel in Ugbe-Akoko, where she was found in the company of a 55-year-old man identified as Isa Alaba.

Preliminary findings indicate that the woman was not abducted, contrary to initial fears, but had left on her own.

“She was not kidnapped. She left voluntarily and was later found with the man in the hotel,” the source added.

Authorities have since taken her into protective custody while investigations continue to determine the full details surrounding the incident.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, noted that the situation led to unnecessary panic and the diversion of security resources.

“This kind of situation creates an avoidable alarm. Resources meant for real emergencies were deployed because people feared the worst,” he said.

Abayomi advised residents to avoid actions that could mislead authorities or trigger unnecessary public concern, particularly in cases involving missing persons.

He also emphasised the importance of communication within families, particularly between couples, as a means of preventing such incidents.

“There is a need for better communication. Many of these situations can be resolved through dialogue or family intervention instead of escalating into public alarm,” he added.

The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to responding swiftly to distress calls and urged the public to provide accurate and timely information when reporting incidents.