……… Cart away the rifles of the policemen
By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed a deadly attack on a mining site at Oreke-Okeigbo in the Ifelodun local government area of the State, resulting in the brutal killing of two policemen and abduction of two people, including a Chinese national.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the incident occured on Wednesday evening.
The statement reads: “Information received from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke indicates that a group of unidentified armed assailants invaded the said mining facility, where they tragically shot and killed two operatives of the Nigeria Police Force — ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both attached to 45 PMF, Abuja, who were on official protective assignment at the location. The attackers also carted away the rifles of the deceased officers.
”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.”
The statement added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has strongly condemned the act of brutality, while assuring the public that the Command has since swung into decisive action.
“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.
”Residents of Kwara State are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as the Command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property across 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 added.