Gunmen have attacked the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport office in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, carting away a rifle, ammunition and other valuables.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, noting that two immigration officers on duty were injured during the attack.
According to the police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, the officer in charge of the passport office raised an alarm at about 8:45 p.m. after armed men invaded the premises.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, immediate reinforcement comprising operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams was deployed to the scene for intervention and assessment of the situation,” he said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that about five assailants scaled the rear perimeter fence of the facility, which borders a vast bushland, before attacking two officers on night duty.
The attackers reportedly beat the officers with sticks and other dangerous weapons before making away with a G3 rifle assigned to the office and its ammunition.
“The suspects also carted away a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers on duty, a generating set and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route used to gain access to the facility,” Olayinka added.
The injured officers have since received medical attention and are in stable condition.
The police said surveillance and tactical teams have intensified operations in and around the area, including combing nearby bushes and possible escape routes, to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
“Intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate actionable information capable of leading to the arrest of the suspects, while all relevant investigative and operational resources have been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough in the case,” the spokesperson said.
Olayinka noted that the police are working closely with the NIS and other security agencies to track down those responsible for the attack.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, has directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource toward apprehending the attackers.
A joint task team has also been constituted by the police command and the NIS to strengthen coordination and enhance efforts to arrest the suspects.
The police commissioner reassured residents of Ogbomoso and its environs of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.
The incident comes amid growing concern over rising insecurity in Oyo State.
Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen abducted Olaide John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons in Ibadan.
Protests have also intensified over the May 15 abduction of dozens of students and teachers from schools in the Oriire axis of Ogbomoso.
