The Osun State Police Command has identified the two individuals who were killed during a shooting incident in Ikire on Monday.
The command, in a statement by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, blamed suspected hoodlums who allegedly attacked a police patrol team for the deaths.
The command identified the deceased as 49-year-old Nurení Sobowale of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.
According to the police, “the incident occurred around 11am along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway when a patrol team from Ikire Division responded to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man identified only as Sunkanmi.”
The police said the officers, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikire Division, came under attack shortly after arriving at the location.
The statement said the attackers allegedly opened fire on the police team and forcibly took one AK-47 service rifle from the officers.
The command said the assailants subsequently used the stolen rifle to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of Sobowale and Akinrole.
“It was later abandoned and subsequently recovered with multiple bullet holes and a destroyed windscreen,” the statement said.
The police added that nine spent ammunition shells were recovered from the scene and secured for forensic examination, while two police officers sustained serious injuries during the incident.
“The remains of the two civilians were deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary and their families had been informed.
“The injured officers were initially treated at a nearby hospital before being referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further medical attention.
“The newly deployed Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, has visited the scene and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to lead a comprehensive investigation.”
The statement disclosed that the command has deployed tactical and intelligence personnel to the area to identify and arrest those responsible.
The police also appealed to residents with useful information to contact the nearest police station.
The police urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that measures were being taken to restore security along the affected axis.
DAILY POST reports that the incident came after reports of a dispute over control of a motor park at Naira and Kobo Junction, Ikire, where rival groups were reportedly involved in a confrontation.