The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday said it had begun an investigation into the invasion of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso, where armed hoodlums allegedly carted away a rifle, ammunition and other valuables.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that the incident occurred on Tuesday night at the immigration office located along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway, near the NNPC filling station.
A source said the assailants struck while commercial activities were still ongoing at the nearby Ayanyan Cattle Market.
“The attackers stormed the facility and overpowered the officers on duty. During the attack, the officers were dispossessed of their firearms,” the source said.
The source added that the gunmen fled the scene under the cover of darkness.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched a comprehensive investigation into the attack.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the attack on the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso following an invasion by armed hoodlums on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
“Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that at about 8:45 p.m., the officer in charge of the facility raised an alarm after armed hoodlums invaded the premises by scaling the perimeter fence from the rear.
“Upon receipt of the distress report, immediate reinforcement comprising operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams was deployed to the scene for intervention and assessment.”
According to the police, preliminary findings showed that about five armed men gained access to the premises through a rear fence bordering a vast expanse of bushland.
“The hoodlums reportedly attacked two immigration officers on night duty, assaulting them with sticks and other dangerous weapons before making away with a G3 rifle assigned to the office, along with its ammunition.
“The suspects also stole a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers, a generating set and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route used to gain access to the facility,” the statement added.
The police said the injured officers had received medical attention and were in stable condition.
Ayanlade further disclosed that surveillance and tactical teams had intensified operations in and around the area, including combing adjoining bushes and suspected escape routes, to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
“Intelligence assets and informants have been activated to generate actionable information capable of leading to the arrest of the suspects, while all relevant investigative and operational resources have been deployed to ensure a swift breakthrough in the case,” he said.
He added that the command was working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to ensure the arrest of those responsible.
The statement noted that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, had directed all operational and intelligence units to deploy every available resource towards tracking down the suspects.
It added, “The CP and the Oyo State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service have jointly constituted a collaborative task team to strengthen coordination and enhance efforts aimed at ensuring the arrest of all persons involved.”
Abimbola reassured residents of Ogbomoso and its environs of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and preventing criminal elements from gaining a foothold in the state.
The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police formation.
“Useful information that could assist ongoing investigations may also be communicated through the Command’s emergency channels. All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the statement added.
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