Terrorists attack the immigration office, two agents injured, rifle seized

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a thorough investigation into an attack by terrorists on the passport office of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Ogbomoso on Tuesday.

This is contained in a statement signed by DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Ayanlade noted that the incident left two immigration officers injured and resulted in the theft of a service rifle and other valuables.

He further said that the immigration officer in charge raised the alarm at around 8.45pm after the thugs scaled the perimeter fence at the rear of the facility.

“After receiving the distress call, officers from the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams were immediately sent to the scene to intervene and assess.

“Preliminary findings revealed that approximately five attackers gained entry through the rear fence which borders a large expanse of bushland.

“The thugs attacked two immigration officers on night duty, attacking them with sticks and other dangerous weapons before taking away a G3 rifle assigned to the office along with its ammunition.

“The suspects also took away the mobile phone of one of the officers, a generator set and a motorcycle battery, before fleeing via the same route used to enter the building,” he said.

According to Ayanlade, the injured officers received medical treatment and are currently in stable condition.

He added that surveillance and tactical teams have intensified operations in and around the area, including combing adjacent bushes and likely escape routes.

He said the operations aimed to capture the offenders and recover stolen firearms and other valuables.

The spokesperson added that all relevant investigative and operational resources had been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough in the case.

“Intelligence assets and informants have also been activated to generate actionable intelligence that can lead to arrests.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource for the timely arrest of those responsible.

“A collaborative working group has been jointly established with the state controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, to strengthen coordination and enhance efforts to arrest all those involved,” he said.

He reassured residents of Ogbomoso and environs that the command remains resolute in protecting lives and properties and preventing criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the state.

Ayanlade urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities through the command’s emergency channels, assuring that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.