Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the invasion of Babanla Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, by suspected bandits on Friday, August 8, where five people, including a police officer, Adejumo Wasiu, were killed in a sporadic shooting, saying that it has initiated a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.
SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement, disclosed that the armed criminals in their hundreds and riding on motorcycles, also attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters and raided the market.
But in a swift and coordinated response by police operatives, Nigeria Army personnel, vigilantes, and local hunters repelled the attack and restored order.
The PPRO stated: “Today (Saturday, August 9), the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Adekimi Ojo, accompanied by the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Kwara State Command, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Babanla to evaluate the security situation.
“They met with His Royal Highness, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi Arojojoye II, the traditional ruler of Babanla and held high-level discussions aimed at consolidating peace and strengthening inter-agency and community-security collaboration.”
She said further that key locations in the community, including the market, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and surrounding areas, were toured by the joint security delegation to ensure full restoration of stability in the areas.
The Commissioner of Police also ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams.
The DSS, she added, also pledged continuous intelligence support to apprehend all those involved in the attack.
The police spokeswoman reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment, in synergy with sister security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property in all parts of Kwara State.
Residents were urged to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information.
