Police Officer Stabbed to Death in Akure Amid Rising Attacks
Tension is mounting within the Ondo State Police Command after a serving Police Officer was stabbed to death in Akure, intensifying concerns over the growing vulnerability of law enforcement officers across Nigeria.
The incident, which occurred in the Arakale Area of the State Capital, has renewed conversations about the dangerous conditions under which officers now operate.
The yet-to-be-identified Officer reportedly had a confrontation with a group of individuals, a dispute that escalated into a physical fight.
One of the men allegedly stabbed him before fleeing. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday evening.
Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade said the command responded swiftly, deploying operatives who arrested two suspects, Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32. Ayanlade described the attack as “tragic and unacceptable,” noting that the command is taking firm steps to prevent further violence against Officers.
He stressed that while the Police remain committed to upholding human rights and professional conduct, the command will clamp down hard on anyone who attacks Officers performing lawful duty. The suspects are expected to be charged to court once investigations conclude.
A Growing Pattern of Violence
The killing is the second violent attack on a Security Officer in Ondo State in less than a week. Days earlier, a mentally unstable individual stabbed an NSCDC Officer to death during a confrontation.
National records paint an even more troubling picture: between 2023 and 2025, more than 240 Police Officers were killed by criminals, mobs or other non-state actors, according to investigative reports.
February 2025 also saw unrest in Ifon, where angry youths burned down a Police Station after the alleged death of a detainee.
Officers fled as the mob set the building ablaze and carted away property — an event that underscored the deteriorating relationship between communities and security agencies.
Command Under Pressure
Following the latest killing, Senior Officers in Akure are reviewing operational protocols, particularly for Officers working alone or in volatile areas. The command has intensified patrols around hotspots in the city.
Security analysts warn that unless trust is rebuilt between the Police and the Public, more confrontations may escalate into violence. They also emphasize the need for better equipment, mental health support, and backup systems for Officers deployed in high-risk zones.
As investigations continue and the Police prepare to arraign the suspects, residents of Arakale remain shaken by the incident, which many fear is another sign of deepening insecurity and escalating risks faced by those tasked with maintaining law and order.
