Osun Killings: Police Reveal How AK-47 Seized From Officers Was Used to Kill Two

The Osun State Police Command has attributed the killing of two civilians in Ikire to suspected hoodlums who allegedly attacked a police patrol team, seized an AK-47 rifle and used the weapon to fire at people in the area.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, also left two police officers seriously injured, while the patrol vehicle attached to the Ikire Division was reportedly taken by the attackers before it was later recovered.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the deceased 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 patrol vehicle was subsequently found abandoned with several bullet holes and a damaged windscreen. Nine spent ammunition shells were also recovered from the scene and secured for forensic examination.

“The remains of the two deceased civilians have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, and their families have been duly notified.

“The injured police officers were initially taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and have since been referred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for advanced medical care,” the statement read.

The command said the confrontation began at about 11am when a police patrol team from Ikire Division, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call concerning the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.

The officers reportedly came under attack shortly after arriving at the location.

The police explained that the attackers opened fire on the patrol team before taking possession of one of the officers’ service rifles.

“The patrol team, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikire Division, was responding to a distress call regarding the alleged abduction of one Sunkanmi, male, surname unknown.

“Upon arrival at the location, the officers came under sudden and unprovoked attack by a group of unidentified hoodlums.

“The assailants opened fire on the police officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching one AK-47 service rifle.

“The hoodlums used the stolen weapon to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of two innocent civilians.”

Following the attack, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene to assess the situation.

The commissioner subsequently directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

He also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence personnel to track down those responsible for the attack.

The police command condemned what it described as an “unprovoked attack on police personnel and the senseless loss of innocent lives,” while appealing to residents to remain calm and vigilant.

The command also urged anyone with useful information about the attackers to contact the nearest police station or provide information directly to the police.

It assured residents that measures were being implemented to restore security along the affected area and other parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has condemned the killings and what he described as escalating violence following the recent political developments in the state.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola described the attacks as a serious threat to the peace, heritage and democratic values of Osun.

The former governor called on the police and other security agencies to take decisive measures to protect residents and prevent further bloodshed.

Oyetola stressed that “No political ambition or commercial interest could ever justify the loss of human life”, while calling on political actors and other stakeholders to resolve disagreements through dialogue rather than violence.

“Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed.”

He sympathised with the families of those killed and urged security agencies to intensify their operations in areas considered vulnerable to further attacks.

Oyetola specifically called for the deployment of “adequate personnel to volatile locations, reclaim public spaces from hoodlums, and ensure that all those responsible for the killings and other acts of violence are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.”

He also appealed to residents to exercise restraint and place the interest of the state above political and commercial considerations.

Oyetola reaffirmed his commitment to the peace, security and development of Osun, urging residents to work collectively to preserve what he described as the state’s tradition of civility, enterprise and democratic values.