Fears gripped residents of Ikire in Irewole Local Government Area of State of Osun, on Wednesday when yet to be identified gunmen numbering 35 launched a violent attack on the Divisional Police Headquarters and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) pinned down at Ikoyi-Osun with several explosive devices.
Osun Defender learnt that the incident occurred in the afternoon of the day, claimed the lives of four police officers namely, ASP Osho Oluranti, Inspector Lekan Olalere, and two special constabularies; namely Oladeni Olalekan, and Oyedeji Muyideen while three community members: Toheeb Oyebola, Temilorun Adebiyi and one other whose identity is not yet known, were also shot dead by the attackers.
This was disclosed in a press statement released by Police Spokesperson, ASP Yemisi Opalola, made available to Osun Defender Correspondent in osogbo on Thursday.
ASP Yemisi Opalola who confirmed the incident explained that the perpetrators of the act were armed robbers.
Osun Defender gathered that numbering about Thirty-five came in about Five Vehicles, Simultaneously attacked Ikire Divisional Police HQ and the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) pinned down at Ikoyi-Osun with several explosive devices and several gun firing in a bid to subdue the capacity of the Police while attempting to Rob First Bank Ikire and Access Bank Apomu respectively.
According to her, “the armed robbers came with several explosive devices and several guns firing in a bid to subdue the capacity of the police.
“It is unfortunate that ASP Osho Oluranti, Inspector Lekan Olalere, Two (2) Special Constabularies; namely Oladeni Olalekan, and Oyedeji Muyideen were shot dead in the process.
“On sighting the overwhelming policemen comprising: Prompt Response Unit (PRU), CP’s Surveillance team, IRT Operatives, STS, 39 PMF, JTF, along with the local security outfits,who swiftly engaged them in a fierce gun duel, the robbers began to flee.
“While escaping, they shot sporadically, and regrettably three civilians were shot namely: Toheeb Oyebola, Temilorun Adebiyi and one other, (whose identity is not yet known), all male.
“They did not succeed in robbing any of the banks. The assailants fled to the bush with gunshot wounds, abandoning two of the operational vehicles they came with.”
Opalola further stated that “all the corpses have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Hospital morgue, Apomu.”
