By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has arrested four suspected political thugs in connection with the attack on police officers and civilians in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state, during which a police AK-47 rifle was snatched and used to shoot five people.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Osogbo, saying the suspects were arrested on Wednesday, August 26, following credible intelligence and technical analysis of information gathered in connection with the incident.
The incident occurred on Monday, August 24, when the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ikire, and his men responded to a distress call around the Naira and Kobo area of the town.
According to the police commissioner, a group of about 30 armed hoodlums descended on the officers during the response and forcefully snatched an AK-47 rifle from one of the policemen.
Zungura said one of the hoodlums, identified as “Ayewo,” allegedly took possession of the rifle and began shooting sporadically, hitting three police officers and two passers-by.
The two civilians later died from the injuries sustained in the incident, while the injured police officers were taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The police boss said the suspected attackers subsequently fled the scene with the stolen police rifle.
The four suspects arrested in connection with the attack were identified as Sikiru Ademola Adedeji, 21; Olalere Taiwo, 21; Olalere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun, 20.
A cutlass-like object was also recovered from the suspects.
The Commissioner said preliminary interrogation showed that the suspects confessed to being political thugs and disclosed that their faction was headed by a man known as Ayewo, whose other name remains unknown.
According to him, the suspects also stated that Ayewo was the person who allegedly fired the snatched AK-47 rifle, resulting in the injuries and deaths recorded during the incident.
Zungura said investigation was still ongoing to apprehend Ayewo and other suspects who remain at large.
He commended the police operatives involved in the investigation for their professionalism, dedication and effective use of intelligence and technical capabilities in tracking down the suspects.
The commissioner assured residents that the investigation would continue until all those who participated in or contributed to the commission of the offence were arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also appealed to members of the public to provide the police with credible and timely information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.
The Osun Police Command, he said, remained committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace and security across the state.
The development comes amid heightened security concerns in Osun following violence recorded during and after the August 15 governorship election in parts of the state.
