A violent assault by suspected terrorists in Oreke-Oke-Igbo, located in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, has led to the deaths of two police officers and the abduction of a Chinese citizen and a Nigerian worker.
The attack occurred at approximately 6:30pm yesterday, June 4, 2025.
The victims, Mr. Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese expatriate, and Mr. David Adenaiye from Kogi State, were taken during the raid at a local mining site.
The armed attackers, allegedly aware of the police presence at the scene, launched a sudden strike from the rear, killing ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both officers of 45 PMF, Abuja, before making away with their weapons.
Confirming the tragedy, the Kwara State Police Command called the incident “a deadly and heinous act.”
“The Kwara State Police Command confirms a deadly attack and abduction incident that occurred on June 4, 2025, at about 1830hrs.
“This heinous act was done at a mining site located in Oreke-Okeigbo in the Ifelodun local government area of the state,” the official statement read.
It further noted that:
“Information received from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oreke indicates that a group of unidentified armed assailants invaded the said mining facility, where they tragically shot and killed two operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah, both attached to 45 PMF, Abuja.”
The gunmen also seized the rifles of the slain officers before abducting the two workers.
“In addition to the heinous killings, the assailants abducted two individuals: Mr. Sam Xie Wie, a Chinese national, and Mr. David Adenaiye, a native from Kogi State who was working at the mining site at the time of the incident,” the Command confirmed.
Kwara’s Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, strongly denounced the attack, assuring the public that the force is working around the clock to rescue the hostages and apprehend the culprits.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Adekimi Ojo, strongly condemns this act of brutality and assures the public that the Command has since swung into decisive action.”
“Tactical and intelligence-driven efforts are currently underway to ensure the swift rescue of the abducted victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this cowardly attack,” the Command added.
Efforts to bolster security in the area have intensified, with police collaborating with community leaders and other agencies.
Authorities also appealed to the public for cooperation.
“Residents of Kwara State are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as the Command remains fully committed to the protection of lives and property across the state.
“We appeal to members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could aid the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts.”
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” the police assured.
This latest assault adds to growing fears over the deteriorating security in Kwara, where a new terror group known as Mahmuda has been linked to multiple recent attacks.