Suspected Bandits Attack National Park Service Office in Oyo, Kill Five Forest Guards

No fewer than five forest guards attached to the National Park Service (NPS) have been killed following a deadly attack by suspected bandits at the agency’s office in Oloka area of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, reportedly saw heavily armed assailants storm the National Park Service outpost and open fire on officers on duty, leaving at least five personnel dead. The incident has thrown the community into fear and raised fresh concerns over security around forest reserves in the state.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with NTA News, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, was on his way to the affected area to assess the situation firsthand.

DSP Olayinka disclosed that the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams, including officers of the Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Nigeria Police Force, to secure the area and prevent further attacks.

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According to security sources, the National Park Service office in Oloka is located close to a vast forest area, which has in recent times been suspected to serve as a hideout for criminal elements, including bandits and kidnappers operating across state boundaries.

Reacting to the incident, the Oyo State Government expressed deep concern over the loss of lives, describing the attack as a serious threat to public safety and national security. The state government pledged to work closely with federal security agencies to ensure that those responsible are tracked down and brought to justice.

DSP Olayinka assured members of the public that security agencies are firmly on top of the situation and urged residents to remain calm while investigations and security operations continue.

He added that further updates would be provided as more details emerge.