Suspected gunmen have killed a police officer and abducted a Chinese expatriate during a violent attack on Aqua Triton Company in the Ogunmakin area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, was confirmed by the Oyo State Police Command, describing the assault as a well-coordinated, commando-style operation that targeted the industrial facility.
In a statement issued in Ibadan, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the attackers stormed the premises, leading to a gun battle with security personnel on duty in which one officer was fatally wounded while bravely resisting the attackers.
The officer reportedly inflicted injuries on some of the assailants before succumbing to his injuries. During the exchange, the gunmen abducted a Chinese expatriate identified as the principal officer of the company before fleeing the scene.
“Immediately the incident was reported, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to mobilise the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams to the location,” the statement said.
The police added that a large-scale bush-combing operation is currently underway across surrounding forests and escape routes, as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the abducted expatriate unharmed.
The command assured residents that a full investigation has been launched and vowed that those responsible for the deadly attack would be tracked down and prosecuted.
The incident has heightened security concerns around industrial facilities in the Ibadan axis, particularly in remote and semi-industrial communities, as residents call for increased patrols and intelligence-led policing to deter similar attacks.