Gunmen on early Monday morning attacked the Okuta Elerinla Police Division Headquarters in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State and killed one of the police officers on duty.
The victim, Temenu Boluwaji, a police inspector, was reportedly shot by the unidentified armed men and died before reaching the hospital, where he was rushed to for medical treatment.
An informed source disclosed that the gunmen scaled the perimeter fence of the police station before gaining an entry into its premises.
To repel the gunmen, officers on duty were said to have engaged them in a gun duel.
The source, who pleaded annoymity, said: “There was no detainee in the cell that committed any serious offence, which the gunmen could have come for.
“It is suspected that they had the intention of attacking the station to cart away firearms in the armoury.”
Narrating further how the incident happened, the source said: “When the hoodlums came the officer who was killed had evacuated all detainees in the cell to a safe place to avoid being hit by the bullet.
“When he entered the premises, probably he thought the hoodlums had left, he put on his flashlight only to be shot by the criminals who were still hiding within the premises. They eventually scaled the perimeter fence to escape from the scene.”
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the attack.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, also confirmed that a police man on duty was killed by the gunmen.
She said: “On the 25th July, 2022, around 1:00a.m., hoodlums attacked Okuta Elerinla Division in Akure.
“Policemen who were at alert and alive to their duty repelled them accordingly and the miscreants were unable to gain entrance into the station.
“During the cross fire, one of our gallant station guards AP.2075380 Insp Boluwaji Temenu was hit by a bullet, he later died on his way to the hospital.
“The Commissioner of Police in the state, Oyeyemi Oyediran, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and ensure the perpetrators are arrested.
‘The CP urged people in the state to go about their lawful duty without fear. He also assured that the masterminds and perpetrators of the attack would soon be arrested and prosecuted.”
