The Osun State Police Command has confirmed that two civilians were killed while two police officers sustained serious injuries after suspected political thugs attacked a patrol team along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway in Ikire.
The command said the incident occurred at about 11am on Monday, August 24, 2026, when the police team attached to the Ikire Division responded to a distress call concerning the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the patrol team, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikire Division, came under sudden attack from unidentified hoodlums shortly after arriving at the location.
The attackers reportedly opened fire on the officers inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching an AK-47 service rifle from the team.
The assailants allegedly used the stolen rifle to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of two civilians identified as 49-year-old Nurení Sobowale of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.
Two police officers were also seriously injured during the attack.
The command said the attackers forcefully took away the police patrol vehicle but later abandoned it.
The vehicle was subsequently recovered with multiple bullet holes and a damaged windscreen, while nine expended ammunition shells were recovered at the scene for forensic analysis.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, and their families have been notified.
The injured officers were initially taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment before being referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further medical attention.
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene immediately after assuming duty to assess the situation.
Following the assessment, Zungura ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to lead the probe.
The CP also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence personnel to the area to track down and arrest the perpetrators.
The Osun Police Command condemned what it described as an unprovoked attack on its personnel and the loss of innocent lives.
The command appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant while urging anyone with credible information that could assist in identifying or apprehending the suspects to contact the nearest police station.
The police assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to restore and maintain security along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway and other parts of the state.
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