Ibadan, Oyo State
A police officer has been killed and a foreign expatriate abducted after gunmen launched a coordinated attack on Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a brazen daylight assault that has renewed security concerns in the South-West.
The incident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, when around 10 armed men stormed the company’s premises in what police described as a commando-style operation. The attackers reportedly engaged security personnel in a gun battle, during which a police officer on duty sustained fatal injuries while attempting to repel the assault.
Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the gunmen escaped with a company director, later identified as an Indian national, correcting earlier reports that had described the abducted expatriate as Chinese.
“There was an attack at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, where yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation,” Olayinka said.
“One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some of the assailants, and the Indian expatriate principal was abducted,” he added.
Police sources identified the abducted expatriate as 42-year-old Renjith Pillai, a director of the company, who was reportedly inspecting crops on the firm’s farm at the time of the attack. Witnesses said the gunmen operated for several minutes, firing sporadically before fleeing into the surrounding bush with their captive.
The officer killed in the attack has not yet been officially named, pending notification of family members.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, ordered an immediate tactical response, deploying multiple units to pursue the attackers and rescue the abducted victim.
“Immediately the incident was reported, 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,” Olayinka said.
“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,” he added.
Security sources said the operation involves both ground patrols and intelligence-led tracking, with teams combing nearby forests and border routes commonly used by criminal groups operating in the region.
Residents and business owners in the Ogunmakin axis described the attack as daring and deeply unsettling, noting that the gunmen appeared well-organized and heavily armed.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers arrived with precision and purpose.
“They came with a mission. The sound of gunshots threw the whole area into panic. People ran into their homes and shops closed immediately,” the resident said.
Another local trader said the incident has heightened fear among workers and farmers in the area, many of whom now avoid moving around during certain hours.
In the aftermath of the attack, the police command said additional security deployments have been made around Ogunmakin and neighboring communities to restore calm and reassure residents.
The police also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations, stressing that cooperation with security agencies is crucial to tackling violent crime.
“We appeal to residents to remain calm and report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest police station,” the command said in a brief advisory.
The incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of businesses and expatriates in parts of Oyo State, particularly in semi-rural areas where farms and industrial facilities are located close to forested zones.
In recent years, criminal gangs have increasingly targeted such locations for kidnapping-for-ransom operations, exploiting limited security presence and escape routes into surrounding bushland.
Security agencies in the South-West say they are intensifying efforts to curb the trend, but Thursday’s attack underscores the continuing challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting both citizens and foreign nationals operating in the region.
As of Friday, the police said the search for the abductors and the missing expatriate remains active, with updates expected as the operation progresses.
The killing of a police officer in the line of duty has also renewed calls for improved equipment and intelligence support for security personnel, particularly those stationed in high-risk areas.
Authorities say further details will be released as investigations continue and developments emerge.