OSOGBO — The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with the attack on policemen at a garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, which reportedly left two civilians dead and three police officers injured.
The new Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Zungura, who just resumed on Monday, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the progress of investigations into the incident at the Command Headquarters.
According to the command, the incident occurred on Monday, August 24, 2026. The Divisional Police Officer, Ikire, and his men said they responded to a distress call and while approaching the Okobo area, were allegedly attacked by about 30 armed hoodlums.
The police said the hoodlums opened fire with an AK-47 rifle snatched from the officers. The attack resulted in injuries to three policemen and two passersby. The two civilians later died from injuries sustained.
“The gun that was fired killed two people,” one of the suspects was quoted as saying during interrogation.
The command added that the hoodlum who allegedly fired the rifle escaped with the police weapon, while the injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment.
Following intelligence gathering and technical investigation, operatives arrested four suspects on Wednesday, August 26. They were identified as Sikiru Ademola, 21; Olarewaju Taiwo, 21; Bolarere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun, 20. A locally fabricated axe-like weapon was also recovered from them.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of a political thugs’ faction headed by a man identified as Ayewo, whose other name remains unknown. The police alleged that Ayo M was the individual who used the snatched AK-47 rifle to shoot at the scene, resulting in the deaths of the two civilians. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
One of the suspects, Ikire Adimola Adedeji, gave an account in Yoruba of what allegedly happened at the garage. He said he was at the garage collecting money when some individuals brought a man to the area, and that the situation became tense after the police arrived.
He alleged that the men were instructed not to run when the police arrived, but that an AK-47 rifle was subsequently taken from the police and used to shoot.
He also mentioned individuals identified as “Scorpion” and “Lanko” in connection with activities at the garage, and identified a man known as “Ayewo” as the person regarded as the garage boss in the area.
During interrogation, the suspect was also asked about the political structure allegedly connected to the group. He mentioned a senator whom he identified as “Akogun,” while also stating that Ayewo was involved in the activities.
The command noted that the allegations made during the interrogation could not be independently verified.
CP Zungura commended the operatives involved in the investigation for their professionalism, dedication and effective use of intelligence and technical capabilities in tracking the suspects.
The command assured residents that the investigation was still ongoing, stressing that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police also appealed to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.
“The command said Osun State remained one of the peaceful states in Nigeria, but warned that certain elements were attempting to disrupt the existing peace and security in the state,” CP Zungura said.
