Two Civilians Killed in Osun Police Patrol Attack

On August 24, 2026, at approximately 11 a.m., two civilians were killed, and two police officers sustained serious injuries when suspected political thugs attacked a police patrol team on the Ibadan-Ife expressway in Osun State. The patrol team, attached to the Ikire Division and led by the Divisional Police Officer, was responding to a distress call about the alleged abduction of a man named Sunkanmi.

Upon arrival, the officers were ambushed, and the assailants opened fire, managing to snatch an AK-47 service rifle from one of the officers. The attackers then used the stolen rifle to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of 49-year-old Nurení Sobowale and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole.

The injured officers were first taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan for further treatment. The police patrol vehicle was also taken but later recovered with multiple bullet holes.

Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura, who had just assumed duty, visited the scene and ordered a comprehensive investigation to apprehend the attackers.