The families of five police officers from the Osun State Police Command are expressing their deep frustration and anguish over the silence from authorities regarding their loved ones, who have been missing for eight months after a special operation in Abia State.
The PUNCH gathered that the six officers from the Anti-Robbery Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department were sent to Abia State on February 12, 2024, to investigate an armed robbery case.
This team comprised five male officers and one female officer, Adepimpe Ayowole. They had tracked a suspect to Abia State and were staying at a hotel in Asaba, Delta State, on the night of their departure.
The following day, as they continued their journey to Abia, the officers were reportedly ambushed by gunmen. While one officer managed to escape the attack, the fates of the five others remain unknown, along with that of their civilian driver who also went missing.
In an interview, Adekonipekun, the husband of Adepimpe Ayowole, voiced his distress over the lack of communication from the police.
“My wife, Adepimpe Ayowole, with Force Number 068986, is among the officers who went on a special operation in Abia State. They left Osogbo on February 12, slept in Asaba, and continued their journey on the 13th. I spoke with her around 8 am, but since then, I have not been able to reach her. We were told they were attacked,” he stated.
He further lamented, “Since the initial briefing by a deputy police commissioner, the police have provided no updates. There have been no visits or calls from the police. None of the department members, including their supervisors, have reached out. It’s been very discouraging. Our lawyer’s petition was ignored, and all our attempts to communicate with the police have been futile. The officer who escaped the attack has not been made available for us to meet him. It seems like the police are trying to bury the case.”
Similarly, Funmilola Egundeyi, the wife of one of the missing officers, Paul Egundeyi, echoed her frustration, urging the police to clarify her husband’s situation.
“I spoke to my husband around 7 am the next day, but by 10 am, his number was no longer reachable. The deputy commissioner informed us on Saturday (February 17) that they were attacked. I later heard through another wife that three officers were killed during the attack. I frequently visit the police headquarters, but all they tell me is, ‘There is no update.’ Life has been unbearable for me and our two children,” she said.
Mrs. Balkisi Durosaro, the wife of another missing officer, Jimoh Fatiu, shared her own painful experience of being left in the dark.
“I found out about the incident from his brother, who is also a policeman. But since then, the police have not called or visited me. I wasn’t included in the meeting at the police command, and no one has told me what happened to my husband. Life has been challenging, but I believe my husband is alive and will return home to me,” she revealed.
When approached for comment, the Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, directed inquiries to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
However, attempts to reach Adejobi via phone went unanswered, and messages sent to his phone received no response, leaving the families feeling abandoned and desperate for answers.
