An Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force was killed on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when suspected gunmen ambushed a police patrol team at the Budo Masalasi Border Post in Oyo State, police confirmed on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The attack triggered an immediate manhunt for the attackers and heightened security across affected areas.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., when the patrol, conducting routine duties, encountered a group of suspected bandits who opened fire on the officers, according to the Oyo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade.
The inspector, who has been identified in some reports as Inspector Aliu Oluwole, died from injuries sustained while bravely repelling the attack.
Other police officers and civilians also sustained varying degrees of injury during the ambush, which saw the assailants seize the inspector’s AK-47 rifle, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
Following the assault, police tactical teams, acting on credible intelligence, launched an intensive search to track down the attackers and recover the stolen firearm.
Security challenges involving gunmen and suspected bandits have persisted across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring areas, with similar ambushes and attacks on security personnel reported in recent weeks.
The latest incident adds to community concerns about rising criminal audacity and the safety of law enforcement officers on duty.
DSP Ayanlade said the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the ambush and ordered tactical operations to apprehend those responsible.
“Preliminary findings indicate that some of the attackers sustained gunshot injuries, and operatives are actively pursuing them,” he stated, affirming the command’s commitment to pursuing justice.
The police command also reassured residents that enhanced security measures have been deployed across the state and called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals exhibiting unusual behaviour to the nearest police station or security agency.
The killing of a police officer in the line of duty underscores ongoing security vulnerabilities in border and rural communities in the region.
Analysts say such attacks highlight the urgent need for strengthened patrol capabilities, intelligence gathering, and community cooperation to support law enforcement efforts against armed criminal elements.
As the manhunt continues, the Oyo State Police Command plans to intensify operations aimed at neutralising the suspects and restoring public confidence in local security.
Authorities reiterated calls for community support in reporting relevant information to aid investigations.
