Osun: Police name two victims of Ikire shooting, launch manhunt for attackers

The Osun State Police Command has released the identities of two civilians who lost their lives in Monday’s shooting along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway in Ikire, as efforts intensify to track down those behind the attack.

The deceased were identified as 49-year-old Nureni Sobowale of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the victims were killed after hoodlums allegedly engaged a police patrol team in a gun battle following a distress call concerning a reported abduction.

Ojelabi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the incident occurred at about 11am when officers attached to the Ikire Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, moved to the area after receiving information about the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.

He said the police team was attacked shortly after arriving at the location, with the assailants allegedly opening fire on the officers and making away with an AK-47 rifle belonging to the police.

The attackers were subsequently alleged to have used the stolen weapon to shoot indiscriminately, killing the two civilians.

The command said the vehicle involved in the incident was later abandoned and recovered, with multiple bullet holes and its windscreen damaged.

Nine spent ammunition shells were also reportedly recovered from the scene and preserved for forensic analysis.

The police spokesman disclosed that two officers sustained serious injuries during the confrontation and were initially taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for further treatment.

He added that the bodies of the two victims had been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, while their families had been notified.

Following the incident, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Zungura, visited the scene and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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The command said the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department had been assigned to lead the investigation.

It further disclosed that tactical and intelligence units had been deployed to the area to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

The police appealed to members of the public to provide relevant information that could assist investigators in locating those responsible for the attack, assuring residents that security measures had been strengthened along the affected route.

The command also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant as investigations continue.

The shooting occurred against the backdrop of reported tension over the control of the Naira and Kobo motor park at Ikire Junction, where rival groups were said to have clashed before the latest incident.