Bandits Ambush Oyo Police Team

The quiet afternoon in Oriire Local Government Area was shattered by the sound of heavy gunfire on January 24, 2026, as a lethal ambush claimed the life of a senior police officer. At approximately 1:30 pm, a police patrol team operating near the Budo Masalasi Border Post found themselves caught in a deadly trap set by suspected armed bandits. The ensuing confrontation left the community in shock and the security forces in mourning as another life was lost in the line of duty.

This latest tragedy highlights a disturbing trend of escalating violence within the northern corridors of Oyo State. The inspector, whose name remains a symbol of bravery within the force, died while heroically attempting to push back a superior number of assailants. His death marks a significant blow to the local security architecture, occurring during a period of heightened tension across the border regions.

Reports emerging from the scene indicate that the attackers were not a small group of opportunistic criminals. Instead, between 10 and 15 heavily armed men were said to have swarmed the border post, initiating a coordinated assault on the patrolling officers. The sheer volume of fire forced the police team into a defensive position, triggering a fierce exchange of bullets that lasted for several frantic minutes.

The fallen inspector was reportedly at the forefront of the engagement, refusing to retreat even as the bandits intensified their onslaught. His commitment to protecting the territorial integrity of the state and the lives of nearby residents saw him pay the ultimate price. In the chaos of the retreat, the assailants managed to seize the officer’s service weapon, an AK-47 rifle, along with 30 rounds of live ammunition, adding a dangerous level of firepower to their arsenal.

This incident is part of a dark week for the Oriire Local Government Area. Only days before this ambush, the region was rocked by a brutal raid on the National Park Service office in the Oloka community. In that separate but equally gruesome attack, five forest rangers were slaughtered by gunmen, suggesting that a well-armed syndicate may be operating with impunity within the local forests.

Olayinka Ayanlade, the Public Relations Officer for the Oyo State Police Command, addressed the media regarding the incident with a heavy heart. He confirmed the details of the attack, describing the inspector as a martyr who died while courageously defending the public. The command emphasized that the officer’s sacrifice would not be in vain and that the quest for justice had already begun in earnest.

Following the news of the killing, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, issued a directive for an immediate and aggressive manhunt. Specialized units have been deployed to comb the thickets and surrounding villages where the bandits are believed to have fled. The police are operating on the lead that several of the attackers did not escape the gun battle unscathed.

Preliminary forensic findings and witness testimonies suggest that the police patrol team managed to land several hits on the assailants before they vanished. This detail has become a crucial part of the ongoing investigation, as the police believe the injured bandits will eventually require medical attention. This vulnerability offers a window of opportunity for law enforcement to track the group through local healthcare networks.

To prevent a repeat of such a devastating breach, the Oyo State Police Command has significantly bolstered the security presence in the affected border towns. New checkpoints have been established, and motorized patrols now frequent the routes that were previously considered vulnerable. The goal is to create a ring of security that prevents bandits from moving freely between the forest and residential hubs.

The Commissioner has also reached out to the local population, urging a spirit of communal vigilance. Residents are being asked to keep a close eye on their surroundings and report any newcomers or individuals seeking treatment for suspicious wounds. The police have stressed that any person found harboring these criminals or providing them with clandestine medical aid will be treated as an accomplice to the crime.

As the search continues, the mood in Oyo State remains one of solemn determination. The loss of a police inspector and five rangers in such a short span has sparked a wider conversation about the safety of frontline officers. Security experts suggest that the bandits are using the border posts as strategic points to disrupt local trade and instill fear in the farming communities that drive the local economy.

The recovery of the stolen AK-47 is a top priority for the task force. A weapon of that caliber in the hands of desperate outlaws poses a continuous threat to both civilians and security personnel. Every hour that passes without an arrest increases the tension, but the police maintain that they are closing in on the group responsible for the Budo Masalasi bloodbath.

For the residents of Oriire, the hope is for a return to normalcy and a definitive end to the raids that have plagued their doorsteps. The brave inspector who fell at his post has become a rallying cry for the force, a reminder of the high stakes involved in policing Nigeria’s borderlands in 2026.