Tragedy struck at a mining site in Oreke-Okeigbo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, as two mobile police officers were shot dead and two workers — a Chinese national and a Nigerian miner were abducted by armed assailants on Wednesday evening.
The fallen officers, identified as ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, were attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Abuja and had been deployed to provide security at the mining site.
Their rifles were reportedly stolen by the attackers during the assault, which occurred around 6:30 p.m.
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Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Thursday in Ilorin, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Adeyemi Ejire, described the attack as a “heinous crime” and assured that efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims.
The traditional ruler of the area, Oba Sunday Michael Afolabi, also confirmed the incident in a phone interview, expressing deep concern over the growing insecurity in the region.
According to the police, preliminary reports from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke indicated that the gunmen stormed the mining facility, opened fire on the officers, and whisked away the two workers under the cover of darkness.
Security operatives have since launched a manhunt for the attackers, while the area has been placed under heightened surveillance.
“In addition to the heinous killings, the assailants abducted two individuals, Mr. Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese national, and Mr. David Adenaiye, a native from Kogi State who was working at the mining site at the time of the incident.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has strongly condemned the brutal attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence.
He assured the public that the command has launched a swift and coordinated response to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts are currently underway to ensure the swift rescue of the abducted victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this cowardly attack.
” The Command is working in close synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and prevent a recurrence of such incidents,” the statement added.
The Commissioner called on residents of Kwara State to stay calm and continue to obey the law, assuring them that the Command is fully dedicated to safeguarding lives and property throughout the state.
“We appeal to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could aid the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” the statement further stated.
