Police search for gunmen after attack on Oyo immigration office

The Oyo State Police Command said on Wednesday that it has started looking into the invasion of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso. Armed robbers took away a rifle, ammunition, and other valuables during the attack.

Sources told The PUNCH that the incident happened on Tuesday night at the immigration office along the Ogbomoso, Ilorin Expressway, close to the NNPC filling station.

A source mentioned that the attackers struck while people were still busy at the nearby Ayanyan Cattle Market. “The attackers stormed the facility and overpowered the officers on duty. During the attack, the officers lost their firearms,” the source said.

The source also said the gunmen escaped into the night after the attack.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident. He said the police have started a detailed investigation into the attack.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has started an investigation into the attack on the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Office in Ogbomoso. This followed an invasion by armed robbers on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

“Early information available to the Command shows that around 8:45 p.m., the officer in charge of the facility raised an alarm after armed robbers invaded the premises by climbing the perimeter fence from the back.

“After receiving the distress call, a quick response team made up of the Command Monitoring Unit and surveillance teams was sent to the scene for help and assessment.”

According to the police, initial findings showed that about five armed men entered the premises through a back fence that borders a large bushland.

“The robbers reportedly attacked two immigration officers on night duty, hitting them with sticks and other dangerous items before stealing a G3 rifle assigned to the office, along with its ammunition.

“They also took a mobile phone belonging to one of the officers, a generator, and a motorcycle battery before escaping through the same route they used to enter the facility,” the statement said.

The police confirmed that the injured officers received medical care and are in stable condition.

Ayanlade added that surveillance and tactical teams are increasing operations in and around the area. They are searching nearby bushes and suspected escape routes to catch the attackers and recover the stolen items.

“Intelligence resources and informants have been activated to gather useful information that can help arrest the suspects. All relevant investigative and operational resources have been put in place to ensure quick progress in the case,” he said.

He also mentioned that the command is working closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies to catch those responsible for the attack.

The statement noted that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Abimbola, has instructed all operational and intelligence units to use every available resource to track down the suspects.

It added, “The CP and the Oyo State Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service have set up a joint task team to improve coordination and efforts aimed at arresting all those involved.”

Abimbola assured residents of Ogbomoso and surrounding areas that the command is committed to protecting lives and property and stopping criminal elements from operating in the state.

The command also urged the public to stay alert and quickly report any suspicious people or activities to the nearest police station.

“Useful information that could help ongoing investigations can also be sent through the Command’s emergency contacts. All information will be treated with the highest confidentiality,” the statement added.