Two civilians were killed and two police officers seriously injured after suspected political thugs attacked a police patrol team along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway in Osun State.
The incident occurred at about 11am on Monday when officers from the Ikire Divisional Police Headquarters, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call concerning the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.
The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the officers came under sudden gunfire shortly after arriving at the location.
According to him, the attackers opened fire on the police team while the officers were inside their patrol vehicle and seized an AK-47 rifle belonging to the police.
The assailants allegedly used the stolen rifle to fire indiscriminately, killing two civilians.
The deceased were 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 and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The attackers reportedly fled in the police patrol vehicle but later abandoned it. The vehicle was subsequently recovered with several bullet holes and a shattered windscreen.
Police said nine spent ammunition shells were recovered at the scene and secured for forensic examination.
The bodies of the two civilians were deposited at the Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families were notified.
The injured officers were initially taken to a nearby hospital for emergency care before being transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further treatment.
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene after assuming office and ordered a full investigation into the incident.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to lead the investigation and ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence personnel to track down and arrest the attackers.
The command condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
It urged residents along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with any information that could assist in identifying the perpetrators.
The police also said security operations had been intensified along the expressway and other parts of the state to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.
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