The Osun State Police Command has blamed suspected hoodlums for the deadly shooting in Ikire that left two men dead and two police officers seriously injured, after an attack on a patrol team along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway.

Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said in a statement that the victims were identified as 49-year-old Nurení Sobowale of Odeda Area, Abeokuta, and 43-year-old Saheed Akinrole of Adeagbo Compound, Ikire. Their remains have been deposited at Oluyoro Catholic Mortuary, and their families have been informed.

According to the command, the incident began when a patrol team from Ikire Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call about the alleged abduction of a man identified simply as Sunkanmi. On arriving at the scene, the officers reportedly came under sudden fire from unidentified assailants described as suspected political thugs.

The attackers allegedly shot at the officers while they were still inside their patrol vehicle, injuring two policemen and overpowering the team. The hoodlums were said to have snatched an AK-47 service rifle and seized the patrol van, which was later recovered abandoned with multiple bullet holes and a shattered windscreen.

Police say the stolen rifle was then used to fire indiscriminately, leading to the deaths of Sobowale and Akinrole, who were described as innocent civilians caught in the chaos. Nine spent ammunition shells were recovered at the scene for forensic analysis.

The injured officers received emergency treatment at a nearby hospital before being transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for advanced care.

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun, Ibrahim Zungura, has visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and ordered a full-scale investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department. Tactical and intelligence units have been deployed to track and arrest the perpetrators.

The command condemned what it called an unprovoked attack on its personnel and the senseless killing of civilians, urging residents to remain calm but vigilant. It appealed for credible information from the public that could aid the manhunt, and assured that measures are being taken to restore and maintain security along the affected axis and across the state.