The Police Command in Osun said two civilians were killed and two of its officers sustained serious injuries during an attack by suspected political thugs in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Tuesday in Osogbo.
Ojelabi said unidentified assailants, suspected to be political thugs, attacked a police patrol team attached to the Ikire Division at about 11 a.m. on Monday along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.
He said the patrol team, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikire Division, was responding to a distress call over the alleged abduction of one Sunkanmi, whose surname was unknown.
According to him, upon arrival at the location, the officers came under a sudden and unprovoked attack by a group of unidentified hoodlums.
He said the assailants opened fire on the officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching an AK-47 service rifle.
“The hoodlums used the stolen weapon to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of two innocent civilians.
“The deceased have been identified as Nurení Sobowale, male, aged 49, of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and Saheed Akinrole, male, aged 43, of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.
“Two police officers sustained serious injuries during the attack,” he said.
Ojelabi said the remains of the two deceased had been deposited at the Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families had been duly notified.
He added that the injured officers were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and later referred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for advanced medical care.
The police spokesperson said the patrol vehicle attached to the division was also forcefully taken away by the assailants.
He, however, said the vehicle was later abandoned and recovered with multiple bullet holes and a damaged windscreen.
Ojelabi said nine expended ammunition shells were recovered from the scene and secured for forensic analysis.
He said the new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Zungura, immediately visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
Zungura directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
He also directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to the area to identify, track and apprehend the perpetrators.
The commissioner condemned the attack on police personnel and the loss of innocent lives.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and vigilant.
“We appeal to anyone with credible and timely information that may assist in apprehending the assailants to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command on 09060052947 or via pproosun@npf.gov.ng.
“The Command assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to restore and maintain security along the affected axis and across the state.
“The outcome of the investigation will be made available to the public in due course,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun Council, has condemned the incident.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, and Secretary, Lekan Akindoju, the union described the incident as a serious threat to public safety and peaceful coexistence in the state.
The council called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible for the killings, attack on police officers and destruction of government property were arrested and prosecuted.
The union also urged residents and community leaders in Ikire to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist in identifying those behind the violence.
It further urged the police command to uphold professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability in its operations, while building public confidence through regular engagement and transparent communication.
The statement urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, while calling on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively against individuals and groups threatening the peace of the state.
The union commiserated with the families of those killed in the Ikire violence and wished the injured police officers a speedy recovery.
(NAN)
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