Gunmen have attacked Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, Oyo State, killing a police officer and abducting an Indian expatriate.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Saturday, describing it as a coordinated, commando-style operation on the facility.
Police spokesman, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the assailants stormed the company premises and were engaged by security personnel on duty.
“There was an attack at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, Oyo State, where yet to be identified gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation,” Olayinka stated.
He clarified that the abducted foreign national is an Indian, not Chinese as earlier reported. According to him, one police officer was killed while repelling the attack, while some of the gunmen sustained injuries before escaping with the expatriate.
“One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some of the assailants, and the Indian expatriate principal was abducted,” he said.
Olayinka added that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, ordered an immediate response to the incident.
“Immediately informed, the Commissioner of Police directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to lead the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams to the scene,” he said.
He noted that security operatives have launched an intensive bush-combing operation in the area and its surroundings, alongside a full-scale investigation to rescue the victim and apprehend those responsible.
“A bush-combing operation is ongoing, and a full investigation has been launched to ensure the safe rescue of the victim and the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators,” the police spokesperson added.
The police assured residents and workers in the area of enhanced security measures and urged members of the public to provide useful information to aid the ongoing investigation.