A van taking some murder suspects to a correctional facility in Ilesa, Osun State came under attack, it was learnt on Thursday. The attack took place on Osogbo-Ilesha Road, police said.

It was gathered that the hoodlums attacked the vehicle with a view to hijacking the suspects.

The van reportedly broke down and was being fixed when the gunmen launched the attack.

Read Also: Police, hunters kill three gunmen in Osun

Police spokeswoman Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident, saying the police repelled the attack with local hunters’ help.

Opalola said that as the nearby mechanics were working on the vehicle, four armed men appeared on a motorcycle and attacked the police team.

“However, with the superior firepower of the police team, the hoodlums abandoned their motorcycle and guns. In the process, three murder suspects sustained several degrees of injuries and later died in hospital. The body of one of the fleeing hoodlums was reportedly recovered.