A policeman on escort duty was killed by a suspected kidnapper in a gun battle during an unsuccessful attempt to abduct expatriates at a mining site near Aruwa, Atakumosa West Local Gov Area of Osun State.

On Sunday, July 24, the kidnappers opened fire on a vehicle carrying two police officers and two expatriates who were traveling from the mine site to Ifewara.

The kidnappers during the exchange of gunfire shot dead an anti-riot policeman, while a colleague of the late cop, also killed one of the abductors, said to be a Fulani, as others fled into the bush.

A police source who confirmed the incident also revealed that four of the suspected kidnappers were later arrested in the forest.

An AK-47 with breech no: 97698 with 54 rounds of life ammunition was recovered from the suspects. 

A spokesperson for Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the incident to Punch said a police operative and a suspected kidnapper lost their lives to the failed attempted abduction, adding that four Fulani suspects were arrested. 

"We learned the incident happened around 7 am on Sunday after they closed from night duty at a mining site located at Aruwa village via Ifewara. Three riot policemen were traveling in the same vehicle with two expatriates and their driver when suddenly, some hoodlums opened fire on their vehicle," the PPRO stated. 

"An anti-riot policeman, an Inspector was killed but a Sergeant that was with him quickly came out and engaged the suspects, killing one of them, said to be a Fulani, and recovered his rifle and some rounds of ammunition, and two mobile phones. But the rifle of the late Inspector and some rounds of ammunition were carted away by the other suspected kidnappers.

"Meanwhile, our men in Ifewara led by the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilized and combed forest in the area where they arrested four Fulani suspects," she added. 

Source: https://aderonkebamidele.com/fulani-suspects-arrested-as-police-foil-kidnap-attempt-on-expatriates-in-osun/