By Omowumi Omotosho
Armed assailants launched a deadly assault on a mining facility located in Oreke–Oke-Igbo, Kwara State, on Wednesday, leaving two police officers dead and abducting two individuals.
The victims, Assistant Superintendent of Police Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah were both personnel of the 45 Police Mobile Force based in Abuja. They were deployed to the site on official duty to provide security when they were gunned down during the attack.
It was gathered that the gunmen also kidnapped two workers present at the mining site: a Chinese national identified as Mr. Sam Xie Wie, and a Nigerian from Kogi State named David Adenaiye.
Confirming the tragic incident in a press release on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, revealed that the attackers also made away with the rifles belonging to the slain officers.
“The Kwara State Police Command confirms a deadly attack and abduction incident that occurred on 4th June, 2025 at about 1830hrs. This heinous act was done at a mining site located in Oreke-Okeigbo of the state.
“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, who were on official protective assignment at the location. The attackers also carted away the rifles of the deceased officers.
“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 PPRO said.
Ejire-Adeyemi added that the Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, has denounced the violent attack in the strongest terms and assured residents that the Command has promptly initiated a vigorous response to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“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 is working in close synergy with other security agencies and community stakeholders to strengthen its presence in the area and prevent a recurrence of such incidents,” the police said.
Residents of the state are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as the Command assured of its full commitment 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,” the statement said.
