Travellers along the Ife-Osu route in Osun State were ambushed by a group of gunmen estimated to be eight in number. The attackers targeted a private car and a commercial bus, robbing passengers, raping a female passenger, and shooting the driver before police intervention.

One source described the attackers as “deadly,” explaining that the passengers were robbed of their valuables. “The driver was shot but didn’t die before our intervention,” the source added.

A passenger who survived the ordeal recounted the attack, stating, “We had left Ile-Ife but hadn’t reached Osu when we were ambushed. They took our cash, forced us to transfer money, and even collected our ATM cards. Luckily, I escaped and quickly called security operatives, who arrived in time.”

Security personnel responded swiftly, engaging the gunmen in a shootout. According to a security source, “We managed to arrest one of the attackers, while others fled. The injured driver was taken to the hospital.”

The Acting Spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, ASP Emmanuel Giwa-Alade, confirmed the incident, stating, “One of the robbers was arrested, and the driver is receiving treatment at the hospital.”