THE Osun State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the attack on police officers at a garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on Monday, August 24, 2026, left two civilians dead and three police officers injured.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday on the progress of the investigation, the command said the Divisional Police Officer, Ikire, and his men were responding to a distress call when they were ambushed by about 30 armed hoodlums in the Okobo area.
According to the Police, the attackers allegedly snatched an AK-47 rifle from the officers and opened fire. Three policemen and two passersby sustained injuries. The two civilians later died from their injuries.
The command added that the hoodlum who fired the rifle escaped with the weapon, while the injured officers were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Following intelligence and technical tracking, police operatives arrested four suspects on Wednesday, August 26. They were named as Sekiru Ademola, 21; Olarewaju Taiwo, 21; Bolarere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun, 20. An axe was also recovered from them.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to being members of a political thugs’ faction led by one Ayo M. The Police alleged that Ayo M was the person who used the snatched AK-47 to shoot, resulting in the death of the two civilians. A manhunt for Ayo M is ongoing.
One of the suspects, Ikire Adimola Adedeji, who spoke in Yoruba during interrogation, said he was at the garage collecting dues when some people brought a man to the area. He said tension rose after police arrived.
“The gun that was fired killed two people,” he stated.
The suspect also mentioned “Scorpion” and “Lanko” in connection with activities at the garage, and identified “Ayewo” as the person regarded as the garage boss. He further linked the group to a senator he called “Akogun.”
The Police said the allegations made during interrogation could not be independently verified.
Commending the operatives, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, praised them for their professionalism, dedication and effective use of intelligence in tracking the suspects.
The command assured residents that the investigation is ongoing and that all those found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted.
It also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information to help security agencies prevent crime.
The Police stressed that Osun remains one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, but warned that some elements were trying to disrupt the peace and security of the state.
