Osun Killings: Police Blame Hoodlums as Oyetola Demands Decisive Action

The Osun State Police Command has blamed suspected hoodlums for the killing of two civilians in Ikire, after the assailants allegedly attacked a police patrol team and seized an AK-47 service rifle.

The incident occurred around 11am on Monday along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway, when the patrol team attached to the Ikire Division was responding to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man identified only as Sunkanmi.

According to the police, the officers were accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer when they came under sudden attack by unidentified hoodlums suspected to be political thugs.

The assailants allegedly opened fire on the officers inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in taking one of the police service rifles.

The command said the attackers subsequently used the stolen AK-47 to fire indiscriminately, killing 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 also sustained serious injuries during the attack.

The police patrol vehicle was reportedly taken by the assailants but was later abandoned and recovered. It had multiple bullet holes and a damaged windscreen, while nine spent ammunition shells were recovered from the scene for forensic examination.

The remains of the two victims have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families have been notified.

The injured officers initially received emergency treatment at a nearby hospital before being referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further medical care.

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

He also directed the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to identify, track and apprehend the perpetrators.

The command condemned the attack and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while appealing for credible information that could assist the investigation.

The police assured residents that measures were being implemented to restore and maintain security along the affected corridor and across the state.