Gunmen kill policeman, abduct Chinese expatriate in Oyo

Gunmen have killed a policeman and abducted a Chinese expatriate during an attack on a farm in Ogunmakin Community, Ibadan area of Oyo State.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred at about 1 pm on Thursday at Aqua Triton Company when around 10 armed men stormed the facility in a commando-style operation.

It was learnt that the attackers seized a company director, 42-year-old Renjith Pillai, while he was inspecting crops on the farm.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the policeman lost his life while trying to repel the attack.

Although the names of the victims could not be confirmed, he said a search had commenced to rescue the expatriate.

“I can confirm that an attack occurred at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, when unknown gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation. One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some of the assailants, and the Chinese expatriate principal was abducted,” he said.

Olayinka added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the kidnappers.

“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. 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 stated.(Punch)