Police Confirm Attack On Immigration Passport Office In Ogbomoso, Launch Manhunt For Hoodlums
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Oyo State Police Command has confirmed an attack on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Passport Office in Ogbomoso by armed hoodlums, revealing that a full-scale investigation has commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The attack occurred on Tuesday night when the assailants reportedly invaded the facility, assaulted officers on duty and carted away a rifle, ammunition and other valuables.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the Command disclosed that preliminary investigations showed that the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. when the officer in charge of the facility raised an alarm after armed men invaded the premises.
According to the statement, the attackers, estimated to be five in number, gained access to the facility by scaling the perimeter fence from the rear, which borders a large expanse of bushland.
Upon receiving the distress call, the Command immediately deployed operatives from its Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams to the scene for intervention and assessment.
Findings from the initial investigation revealed that the hoodlums attacked two Immigration officers on night duty, beating them with sticks and other dangerous weapons before fleeing with a G3 rifle assigned to the office and ammunition attached to it.
The suspects also reportedly stole a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers, a generating set and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route used to gain access to the facility.
The police confirmed that the injured officers received medical attention and are currently in stable condition.
The statement further noted that surveillance and tactical teams have intensified operations in and around Ogbomoso, including combing adjoining bushes and suspected escape routes, with a view to apprehending the perpetrators and recovering the stolen firearm and other items.
According to the Command, intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate actionable information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects, while all available investigative and operational resources have been mobilised to ensure a swift breakthrough.
The Police Command said it is working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to ensure the prompt arrest of those involved and the recovery of the stolen items.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed all operational and intelligence units of the Command to deploy every available resource towards tracking down the attackers.
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police and the State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Oyo State have jointly constituted a collaborative task team to strengthen inter-agency coordination and enhance efforts aimed at apprehending all those connected with the attack.
The Police Commissioner reassured residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and preventing criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the state.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police formation, assuring that any information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.