Hoodlums Ambush Osun Police, Seize Rifle, Patrol Vehicle

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

OSHOGBO – The Osun State Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt for suspected hoodlums who ambushed a police patrol team along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway, carting away an AK-47 rifle and a police patrol vehicle.

The attack, which occurred on Monday, reportedly resulted in the deaths of two civilians, while two police officers sustained serious injuries.

The incident occurred at about 11am when officers attached to the Ikire Divisional Police Headquarters, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), responded to a distress call concerning the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.

According to a statement issued by the state Police image maker, Abiodun Ojelabi, the police team came under sudden and unprovoked attack upon arriving at the scene.

Ojelabi said the assailants opened fire on the officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching one of the AK-47 service rifles.

He said the hoodlums subsequently used the stolen weapon to shoot indiscriminately, resulting in the death of two civilians.

The victims were identified as 49-year-old Nureni Sobowale, from the Odeda area of Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole, of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.

Their remains, according to the police, have been deposited at the Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families have been notified.

Ojelabi further disclosed that two police officers sustained serious injuries during the attack.

The injured officers were initially rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment before being transferred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for further medical care.

During the attack, the hoodlums also seized the patrol vehicle attached to the Ikire Division.

The vehicle was later found abandoned with several bullet holes and a shattered windscreen, according to the police.

Investigators recovered nine spent ammunition shells from the scene, which have been submitted for forensic analysis.

Following the incident, the newly deployed Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene to assess the situation.

He ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to lead the probe.

The command said tactical and intelligence assets had also been deployed to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Condemning the attack, the Osun State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them that security had been strengthened along the affected axis.

The command appealed to members of the public with credible information that could aid the investigation to report to the nearest police station.

The police assured residents that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.