Updated: Concerns as Officer Killed, Expatriate Kidnapped in Gunmen Attack in Ibadan
- A police officer was killed during a commando-style attack on Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, Oyo state
- An Indian expatriate was kidnapped by gunmen during the violent incident near Ibadan, the state capital
- Oyo police have initiated a manhunt and tactical operations targeted at rescuing the abducted individual
Legit.ng correspondent Ridwan Kolawole has over 8 years of experience covering metro.
Ibadan, Oyo State - A police officer has been killed in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Legit.ng gathered that the officer was fatally shot by gunmen who stormed Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin village and abducted an expatriate.
Source: Facebook
Ayanlade Olayinka, police spokesperson in Oyo State, confirmed the incident to Legit.ng on Saturday night, January 17.
Oyo police hunt for kidnappers
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has commenced a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers.
Olayinka said:
"There was an attack at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, Oyo State, where yet to be identified gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation."
Ayanlade added that in his efforts to repel the attack of the invading gunmen, a police officer lost his life, while some of the attackers were left with gun injuries.
The police official added:
"One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some of the assailants"
At the time of the initial report, Legit.ng had indicated that the abducted expatriate was a Chinese national. Further verification has since confirmed that the individual is, in fact, an Indian national.
Source: Facebook
Oyo police launch kidnap rescue
Following the incident, the Oyo State police commissioner, Femi Haruna, has launched tactical operations to rescue the kidnapped foreign national and apprehend the perpetrators. He has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations to lead the Anti-Kidnapping Squad on the ground and oversee the rescue mission.
The police statement said:
"Immediately informed, the commissioner of police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, directed the AC Operations to lead the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and tactical teams to the scene.
"A bush-combing operation is ongoing, and a full investigation has been launched to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators"
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- CAN orders church to vacate premises after attacking Muslim family in Oyo
Bandits kill 5 in Oyo National Park
Legit.ng earlier reported that five operatives of the National Park Service stationed in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State were killed after gunmen stormed their post.
Some officers were shot while others were burned to death before the bandits gathered their weapons and fled into the forest.
A relative of one of the victims told Legit.ng that the officers were believed to be resting when the assault began. One of the bodies was reportedly found on a prayer mat, raising the impression that the officer was shot while observing prayers.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ridwan Adeola Yusuf (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.
Ridwan Kolawole (Oyo State Correspondent) Oyo state's regional correspondent Ridwan Kolawole has over a decade of journalism practice, covering politics, crimes/conflict, education, and social issues. For passion and knowledge mobilisation, Ridwan practices journalism and teaches it at the University of Ibadan.
