Osun Police Arrest Four Over Ikire Attack, Identify Suspects as Political Thugs

The Osun State Police Command has made further clarifications on the violent attack on police officers at Ikire, confirming the arrest of four suspects who allegedly confessed to being political thugs.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, psc(+), mnips, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Monday, August 24, 2026, when the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ikire and his men responded swiftly to a distress call at the Naira and Kobo area of the town.

The Commissioner said that on arrival at the scene, a group of about 30 armed hoodlums allegedly attacked the police officers and forcefully snatched an AK-47 rifle from one of them.

He said one of the hoodlums, identified simply as Ayewo, allegedly began shooting sporadically with the snatched rifle, hitting three police officers and two passers-by.

The two passers-by later died from injuries sustained in the attack, while the three injured police officers were taken to hospital for medical treatment. The hoodlums reportedly fled the scene with the police rifle.

CP Zungura said credible intelligence and painstaking technical analysis led operatives of the command to four suspects, who were arrested on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The suspects are:

1. Sikiru Ademola Adedeji, 21;
2. Olalere Taiwo, 21;
3. Olalere Ademola, 26; and
4. Bankole Abiodun, 20.

The police said a cutlass-like object was recovered from the suspects.

According to the Commissioner of Police, the suspects, during preliminary interrogation, allegedly confessed that they were political thugs and that their faction was headed by the fleeing suspect, Ayewo.

The suspects allegedly stated that it was Ayewo who fired the snatched AK-47 rifle, resulting in the shooting of the police officers and the two passers-by.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Ayewo and other suspects who are still at large, as well as recover the stolen police rifle.

CP Zungura commended the operatives involved in the investigation for their professionalism, dedication and effective use of intelligence and technical capabilities in tracking down the suspects.

He assured the public that the investigation would be thorough and that every person found to have participated in or contributed to the attack would face the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.

The Osun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property and the maintenance of peace and security across the state.