The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the death of a police inspector who was killed during an operation to rescue a kidnapped victim in Oyo West Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at Olorunda Village, Ojongbodu area, where police operatives responded to a distress call over the abduction of a resident, Haruna Lawal.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the kidnappers invaded the victim’s residence in the early hours of January 24 and fled with him on his motorcycle.
According to the police, the command received the distress alert from a woman identified as Alimot, who reported that armed men had stormed her brother’s house and abducted him.
Ayanlade said the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, immediately ordered the deployment of operatives to the area, leading to a swift search-and-rescue operation.
He explained that the police team advanced into the bush with patrol vehicles and sirens, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victim and escape after realising that security operatives were closing in on them.
“The victim was successfully rescued alive during the operation,” the statement said.
However, during the encounter, one police inspector was fatally shot while bravely engaging the attackers in an attempt to protect the victim.
The victim, Lawal, sustained a head injury during the ordeal and was promptly taken to the General Hospital in Oyo town, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Ayanlade added that preliminary findings revealed that some of the fleeing suspects sustained gunshot wounds, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend them.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police ordered a full-scale investigation into the attack, while security operations have been intensified across the area to prevent further criminal activity.
The police spokesperson reassured residents of the state of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to aid security efforts.
He also conveyed the CP’s appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and support, and commended the operatives involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.
