By Isa Isawade
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 of the state, which reportedly left two civilians dead and three police officers injured.
The command disclosed this while briefing journalists on the progress of its investigation into the incident, which occurred on Monday, August 24, 2026.
According to the Police, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ikire, and his men responded to a distress call and, while approaching the Okobo area, were allegedly attacked by about 30 armed hoodlums.
The command said the hoodlums allegedly opened fire with an AK-47 rifle snatched from the police officers, resulting in injuries to three policemen and two passersby. The two civilians later died from injuries sustained during the incident.
The Police 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, police operatives reportedly arrested four suspects on Wednesday, August 26.
The suspects were identified as Sekiru Ademola, 21; Olarewaju Taiwo, 21; Bolarere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun, 20.
An axe was also reportedly recovered from the suspects.
The Police said the suspects, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to being members of a political thugs’ faction headed by a man identified as Ayo M, whose other name remains unknown.
The command further 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.
The Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
One of the suspects, identified as Ikire Adimola Adedeji, who spoke during the interrogation in Yoruba, gave an account of what allegedly happened at the garage.
According to him, he was at the garage collecting money when he noticed that some individuals had brought a man to the area. He said the situation later 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 said, “The gun that was fired killed two people.”
The suspect also mentioned individuals identified as “Scorpion” and “Lanko” in connection with activities at the garage. He further identified a man known as “Ayewo” as the person regarded as the garage boss in the area.
During the 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.
However, the allegations made during the interrogation could not independently be verified.
Commending the operatives involved in the investigation, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, praised them 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.
