By Adeola Badru
Seven suspected members of an armed bandit gang, together with the alleged mastermind, have been arrested in reference to a lethal assault on the Previous Oyo Nationwide Park, the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed.
The command mentioned the arrests adopted an intensive, intelligence-led operation after armed bandits attacked the park’s Oloka space in Orire Native Authorities Space on 6 January 2026, killing 5 individuals.
In a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the police mentioned: “The armed bandits reportedly arrived in massive numbers on bikes, armed with subtle firearms, and launched a violent assault on forest rangers and different personnel on the Previous Oyo Nationwide Park workplace.”
It mentioned, following the incident, the Commissioner of Police within the state, CP Femi Haruna, ordered the fast deployment of operational belongings to the realm and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
“Upon receipt of the report of the assault, I instantly directed the deployment of essential operational belongings to the affected space and ordered that the Command Monitoring Unit take over the investigation.”
“This marked the graduation of an intensive, intelligence-driven operation. Three suspects had been initially arrested, recognized as Mohammed Dangi, 52; Abubakar Abdullahi; and Sheu Usman.”
Police mentioned: “Throughout sustained interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and offered detailed accounts of how ten members of their armed banditry group, using on 5 bikes, carried out the assault.”
The police added that the assailants’ major objective had been to ” “forcefully free members of their armed banditry syndicate who had earlier been arrested and had been within the custody of forest guards for varied prison actions throughout the Nationwide Park and adjoining communities, which they efficiently did throughout the assault.”
In keeping with the police, additional investigation led to the arrest of 4 further suspects on 25 January 2026: Toro Malami, 43; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32.
The police mentioned the suspects, together with the alleged ringleader, “have continued to offer credible and actionable intelligence, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts to apprehend different fleeing members of the gang.”
Reassuring residents, the Oyo State Police Command mentioned: ” We’re doing every thing doable, in collaboration with different safety companies, to make sure the protection of lives and property throughout the State.”
“Members of the general public are strongly suggested to chorus from spreading unverified or deceptive data, as such acts are able to creating pointless panic and undermining public peace.”
The command additionally thanked state and federal management, stating: “We sincerely admire the Govt Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, for his unwavering assist, cooperation, and dedication to strengthening the safety structure of the State.”
“We additionally admire the Inspector-Normal of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his sustained management, strategic steering, and operational assist that ensured this success.”
The police emphasised their stance in opposition to criminality, nothing that: “Oyo State won’t ever be allowed to function a secure haven for prison components.”
“The Command stays resolute, proactive, and unwavering in its dedication to confronting, dismantling, and neutralising all types of criminality throughout the State.”
“Emergency contacts offered embody the Oyo State Name Response Middle toll-free line 615, and the Oyo State Police Command Management Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413,” the police mentioned.
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