DistantNews
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Gunmen kill female Man O’War officer in Oyo highway ambush

From The Punch · (8h ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A Man O’War officer, Dasola Sanusi, was killed in an ambush by suspected kidnappers along the Ibadan–Ago-Iwoye Expressway.
  • The attack occurred on Saturday evening when armed men opened fire on vehicles, causing some officers to sustain gunshot wounds.
  • Sanusi was confirmed dead upon arrival at a hospital, while another officer is receiving treatment, and two others were hospitalized due to trauma.

A tragic incident unfolded on the Ibadan-Ago-Iwoye Expressway, where suspected kidnappers ambushed commuters and killed a Man O’War officer, Dasola Sanusi. The attack, which occurred on Saturday evening, saw armed assailants indiscriminately firing on vehicles as officers were returning from an outing.

At about 1830 hours on the 18th of April, 2026, we received the distressing news of a tragic attack on our officers who were returning from an outing in Ibadan.

— Source privy to the incidentDescribing the timing and circumstances of the attack.

Sources privy to the incident reported that the officers displayed courage despite sustaining gunshot wounds, managing to escape the immediate danger zone. However, Sanusi was pronounced dead upon reaching a hospital in Ago-Iwoye. Another officer, Emmanuel, is currently undergoing treatment for gunshot injuries, and two other female officers were hospitalized due to the trauma experienced during the violent assault.

While en route to Ago-Iwoye, shortly after passing CRIN, their vehicle and other commuters came under sudden and violent assault by armed men suspected to be bandits, who opened fire indiscriminately on all vehicles within the vicinity.

— Source privy to the incidentDetailing the nature of the ambush and the perpetrators.

The Man O’War organization confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. The national spokesperson, Ibrahim Bello, affirmed that the victim died from the gunshot wounds sustained during the attack. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer also confirmed the incident, identifying the gunmen as suspected bandits.

In the face of grave danger, our officers displayed remarkable courage and presence of mind, managing to navigate out of the attack zone despite sustaining gunshot wounds.

— Source privy to the incidentPraising the officers' actions during the attack.

This ambush highlights the persistent security challenges faced along Nigerian highways, where criminal elements continue to pose a threat to travelers. The loss of Officer Sanusi is a devastating blow to her organization and serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those serving the public.

Sadly, upon arrival, one of our own, Patriot Sanusi Dasola, was confirmed dead.

— Source privy to the incidentAnnouncing the death of Officer Sanusi.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog