The Oyo State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the attack on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Passport Office in Ogbomoso, following an invasion by armed hoodlums on Tuesday night.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the incident occurred at about 8:45 p.m. when armed assailants reportedly scaled the rear perimeter fence of the facility and gained entry into the premises.
The officer in charge of the passport office raised an alarm immediately after the invasion, prompting the deployment of operatives from the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams to the scene for intervention and assessment.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers, estimated to be five in number, accessed the facility through a rear fence bordering a vast bushland area. The hoodlums allegedly assaulted two Immigration officers who were on night duty using sticks and other dangerous weapons.
The suspects reportedly made away with a G3 rifle assigned to the office, along with its ammunition. They also stole a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers, a generating set, and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route.
Police authorities confirmed that the injured officers received medical treatment and are currently in stable condition.
In response to the attack, the Command has intensified surveillance and tactical operations in and around Ogbomoso, including combing nearby bushes and suspected escape routes in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen firearm and other items.
The Police Command said intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects. It added that all available investigative and operational resources have been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough.
The statement noted that the police are working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to facilitate the arrest of those responsible and recover the stolen items.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource toward tracking down the attackers.
The Commissioner also disclosed that a joint task team comprising officers of the Police Command and the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, has been established to strengthen coordination and enhance efforts aimed at apprehending the suspects.
He reassured residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding communities of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and preventing criminal activities within the state.
The Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station, assuring that all information provided would be treated confidentially.
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