Armed Men Attack Ogbomoso Passport Office, Injure Immigration Officers, Cart Away Rifle

Segun Atanda/

Armed men have attacked the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, injuring two officers and making away with a service rifle, ammunition and other valuables.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, has triggered a major security operation by the Oyo State Police Command and other security agencies aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering the stolen weapon.

According to the police, the incident occurred at about 8.45pm when armed assailants invaded the facility after scaling the perimeter fence from the rear of the premises.

The officer in charge of the passport office reportedly raised the alarm immediately after the invasion, prompting the deployment of operatives from the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams to the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that about five armed hoodlums gained access to the facility through the rear fence, which borders a large expanse of bushland.

The attackers reportedly descended on two Immigration officers who were on night duty, assaulting them with sticks and other dangerous weapons before seizing a G3 rifle assigned to the office together with its ammunition.

The suspects also allegedly stole a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers, a generating set and a motorcycle battery before fleeing through the same route used to enter the premises.

Police authorities confirmed that the injured officers had received medical treatment and were in stable condition.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command said a full-scale investigation had commenced and that tactical and surveillance teams had intensified operations within and around Ogbomoso.

The police said adjoining bushes and suspected escape routes were being combed as part of efforts to track down the attackers.

The Command also disclosed that intelligence assets and informants had been activated to generate information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the stolen firearm.

“The Command, in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other sister security agencies, is working assiduously to ensure the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen items,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource towards ensuring the swift arrest of those responsible.

The police further revealed that the Commissioner and the Oyo State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service had jointly constituted a task team to strengthen coordination between both agencies and accelerate efforts to bring the suspects to justice.

Authorities reassured residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities that measures were being taken to prevent criminal elements from establishing a foothold in the area.

The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security formation, assuring that information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.

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