Ibadan, Oyo State – Armed bandits on January 16 attacked an agricultural farm in Ogunmakin Village, Ibadan, abducting a 42-year-old Indian company director and killing a police officer who tried to thwart the attack.
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. at the Aqua Triton Company farm, where about ten heavily armed assailants stormed the premises while Renjith Pillai, the director, was inspecting crops. Four officers from the Police Mobile Force (PMF) were on site providing security.
Inspector Imoobe Prester reportedly engaged the bandits in a gunfight in an attempt to prevent the abduction. During the exchange, the attackers shot Inspector Prester, seized his AK-47, and escaped into the bush with the expatriate.
The injured officer was rushed to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. His body has been deposited at Adeoyo Hospital morgue on Ring Road, Ibadan, pending autopsy.
A joint security operation involving officers from Idi-Ayure Division, additional PMF personnel, the state anti-kidnapping squad, tactical units, local hunters, and vigilantes has been launched to track the kidnappers and recover the stolen weapon. Villagers and farm workers are assisting authorities with intelligence to guide the search.
The Oyo State Police Command said investigations are ongoing and appealed to the public to provide any information that could aid in securing the safe release of the abducted director and apprehending the perpetrators.
The attack underscores growing security challenges facing farms and rural communities in parts of Oyo State amid rising incidents of banditry and kidnapping.
