- The deceased was an operative of the Ogun State Community, Social, and Orientation Corps, codenamed So-Safe Corps.
At least one person lost his life when some gunmen invaded Oluke community in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Two local chiefs were also shot during the attack with the police saying investigation into the incident has begun.
The deceased was an operative of the Ogun State Community, Social, and Orientation Corps, codenamed So-Safe Corps.
According to Punch, the attack was not unconnected to the lingering obaship tussle within the community, which had led to a series of petitions on who becomes the traditional ruler of the community.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the community on Thursday afternoon and attacked the two chiefs who were returning from a meeting.
The gunmen opened fire on their vehicles, leaving them with gunshot injuries.
Upon hearing the sound of the gunshots, the So-Safe operative, identified as Kusika Benjamin, was said to have gone after the gunmen into the bush where he was shot.
The gunshot injuries sustained by Benjamin were said to have led to his death.
The source said, “On Thursday evening, some unidentified gunmen launched an attack on some local chiefs (Baales) returning from a meeting, shot at them, and damaged their vehicles.
“The Baales sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the hospital while the So-Safe officer died on the spot. The police came around after the gunmen had left and restored calm.”
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the attack, stating that two of the local chiefs were shot and an officer of the So-Safe Corps, who arrived at the scene to curb the attack, was shot dead by the gunmen.
“The Divisional Police Officer received a distress call on 18/4/24 at about 1600hrs from Obalade Abuke Oba village via Oluke in Ewekoro, Ogun State, that five unknown gunmen emerged from the bush and opened fire on some baales returning from the Council of Baales’ meeting.
“As a result, one Saibu Rasaq, ‘M’, Baale Keleu village and Sesi Odunjo, ‘M’, Baale Abule Oko village, sustained gunshot injuries on their shoulder and head. They also reported that two of their vehicles were sprayed with bullets.”
She added that upon receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the scene of the shooting and rescued two of the victims to a nearby hospital where they are currently hospitalised.
She added that Benjamin while trying to salvage the situation, ran into the gunmen who opened fire on him. He was, however, rushed to Ifo General Hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.
“One Kusika Benjamin who was later identified as a commander of the So-Safe in Ewekoro was shot by the same unknown fleeing suspects. The DPO rushed him to Ifo Hospital where he was certified dead by the doctor on duty,” she said.