The Osun State Police Command has identified two civilians killed during a shooting incident in Ikire on Monday.
The command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked a police patrol team, seized an AK-47 rifle and used it to fire indiscriminately.
The deceased were identified as 49-year-old Nurení Sobowale of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 11am along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway after a patrol team from the Ikire Division responded to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man identified simply as Sunkanmi.
The officers, who were accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer of the Ikire Division, reportedly came under attack shortly after arriving at the scene.
The attackers allegedly opened fire on the police team and forcibly took an AK-47 service rifle from the officers.
The Osun Police Command said the suspects subsequently used the stolen rifle to shoot indiscriminately, leading to the deaths of Sobowale and Akinrole.
The rifle was later abandoned and recovered by the police, with multiple bullet holes and a destroyed windscreen, the statement added.
Police said nine spent ammunition shells were recovered from the scene and secured for forensic examination, while two officers sustained serious injuries during the attack.
The remains of the two civilians were deposited at the Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families have been informed.
The injured officers were initially treated at a nearby hospital before being transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further medical attention.
Meanwhile, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Zungura, has visited the scene and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to lead a comprehensive investigation.
The command said tactical and intelligence personnel had also been deployed to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
Residents were urged to remain calm and vigilant, while anyone with useful information was advised to contact the nearest police station. The police assured the public that efforts were underway to restore security along the affected axis.
