Police Inspector, one kidnapper killed in gun battle in Osun 

…four others arrested

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo 

A police Inspector and a suspected kidnapper were killed in gun battle during a failed kidnapping attempt of two foreign miners in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State on Sunday.

The incident, which happened at Aruwa village via Ifewara community, also led to the arrest of four suspected kidnappers. 

The kidnappers were said to have laid ambush for the vehicles conveying two foreign miners who had three security details, including two inspectors and one sergeant while they were coming from night duty at a mining site in Aruwa village around 7:05am. 

It was further gathered that the kidnappers opened fire on the vehicles of the miners in an attempt to immobilize them. 

“One inspector was shot dead while the two other policemen engaged the kidnappers in gun battle. One of the kidnappers was also killed. An AK-47 with breech no: 97698 used by the kidnappers was recovered with 54 rounds of life ammunition. But they (kidnnapers) took the ammunition of the late inspector away,” a source said.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Yemisi Opalola who confirmed the incident said: “The Divisional Police Officer of Ifewara promptly mobilise combined team of police detectives and vigilante group to the scene. Four Fulani suspects were arrested.

“We have deposited the two corpses to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ilesa morgue for autopsy investigation.”