Tragedy struck on Wednesday evening at a mining site in Oreke-Okeigbo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, when armed attackers killed two mobile police officers and kidnapped a Chinese national alongside a Nigerian miner.
The slain officers, ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, were deployed from the Police Mobile Force in Abuja on a protective assignment to the site when the incident occurred.
The assailants also made away with their service rifles.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Thursday in Ilorin, the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoin Adeyemi Ejire, said the deadly assault took place around 6:30 p.m.
The traditional ruler of the affected community, Oba Sunday Micheal Afolabi, also verified the attack while speaking with newsmen.
The police command detailed that the information was relayed by the Divisional Police Officer of Oreke, indicating that the facility had been invaded by unidentified gunmen who opened fire on the 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 command stated.
Reacting to the development, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, condemned the brutal attack and assured residents that rigorous efforts were underway to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“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,” the statement added.
While calling for calm, the commissioner urged citizens to remain peaceful and support the police with useful information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
“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 further stated.
