Gun men
By Iyunade Grace
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for calm following a deadly attack by suspected bandits on the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, Oriire Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of five forest guards. The attack, which occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, has been described as a cross-border attack, with security agencies working together to address the incident.
Makinde assured residents that his administration would leave no stone unturned to prevent a recurrence of such attacks, stating that security agencies have been reinforced in the affected areas. The governor also appealed to residents of border communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies in their intelligence gathering efforts.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the attack, stating that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, had deployed tactical teams, Mobile Police Force officers, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit personnel to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The attack has thrown nearby communities into fear, with eyewitnesses describing it as violent and well-coordinated. The bodies of the victims were yet to be recovered as of Wednesday morning, with reports suggesting they may be located within the surrounding forest area.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack was carried out by bandits, and security agencies are working to identify the perpetrators. The National Park Service has not released the identities of the victims, but the governor has promised to provide support to their families.
The incident highlights the security challenges facing Nigeria’s national parks and border communities.
