By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Police Command has informed the general public that two innocent civilians were killed, and three personnel got critically injured in the heavy armed attack at ‘Naira and Kobo’ in Ikire along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway on Monday.

According to police, unidentified assailants suspected to be political thugs attacked a police patrol team attached to the Ikire Division.

“The patrol team, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikire Division, was responding to a distress call regarding the alleged abduction of one Sunkanmi, male, surname unknown. Upon arrival at the location, the officers came under sudden and unprovoked attack by a group of unidentified hoodlums. The assailants opened fire on the police officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching one AK‑47 service rifle. The hoodlums used the stolen weapon to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of two innocent civilians,” police said.

This was contained in a release on Monday by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer.

The deceased were identified as Nurení Sobowale, male, aged 49 years, of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and Saheed Akinrole, male, aged 43 years, of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire. Two police officers sustained serious injuries during the attack.

The police patrol vehicle attached to Ikire Division was forcefully taken away by the assailants. It was later abandoned and subsequently recovered with multiple bullet holes and a destroyed windscreen. Nine expended ammunition shells were recovered at the scene of the incident and have been secured for forensic analysis.

“The remains of the two deceased civilians have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, and their families have been duly notified. The injured police officers were initially taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and have since been referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for advanced medical care.

“Upon resumption of duty, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, Psc(+), MNIPS, immediately visited the scene for an on‑the‑spot assessment of the situation. The Commissioner has directed a comprehensive investigation to be conducted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department and the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to the area with a view to identifying, tracking, and apprehending the perpetrators.

“The Osun State Police Command strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on police personnel and the senseless 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 please report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through 09060052947 or [email protected].

“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,” the release read.