Two civilians were killed and two police officers sustained serious injuries when suspected political thugs attacked a police patrol team along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway in Osun State on Monday.
The incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on August 24, 2026, when officers attached to the Ikire Division, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi, whose surname was not immediately known.
According to the Osun State Police Command, the officers came under sudden attack from unidentified hoodlums who opened fire on the patrol team while they were inside their operational vehicle.
The assailants reportedly snatched an AK-47 service rifle from the police and used it to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of 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.
The attackers also reportedly seized the police patrol vehicle, which was later abandoned and recovered with multiple bullet holes and a shattered windscreen.
Nine expended ammunition shells were recovered at the scene and secured for forensic examination, the command said.
The remains of the two victims have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families have been notified.
The two injured police officers, who initially received emergency treatment at a nearby hospital, were subsequently referred to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for further medical attention.
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, Psc(+), MNIPS, visited the scene immediately after resuming duty for an on-the-spot assessment.
Zungura directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a comprehensive investigation into the attack.
He also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence assets to the area to identify, track and arrest those responsible for the attack.
The Police Command condemned the incident, describing it as an unprovoked attack on its personnel and a senseless loss of innocent lives.
It urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while appealing to anyone with credible information that could assist the investigation to contact the nearest police station or the command through 09060052947 or pproosun@npf.gov.ng.
The command assured residents that necessary measures were being taken to restore and maintain security along the affected axis and across the state, adding that the outcome of the investigation would be made public in due course.
