Five feared killed as gunmen attack national park facility in Oyo

At least five people are feared dead following a late-night attack by suspected bandits on personnel of the National Park Service (NPS) in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, raising fresh concerns over insecurity around forest reserves in the state.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, when armed assailants stormed the National Park facility and caught officers on duty unawares.

Sources familiar with the incident said several NPS personnel were either killed or sustained injuries during the assault, although official casualty figures have yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Confirming the incident, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the attack was carried out by unidentified gunmen.

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He disclosed that senior security officials were immediately mobilised to the scene following reports of the assault.

“Yes, there was an attack by yet-to-be-identified men against the men of the National Park. The Commissioner of Police and other service chiefs are currently on their way to the location,” Ayanlade said.

He further revealed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, has ordered the deployment of tactical police teams to the affected area.

According to him, operatives of the Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit have been dispatched to restore calm, secure the facility, and prevent further security breaches.

The attack has heightened anxiety among residents of surrounding communities and renewed fears over the growing activities of armed groups around forest reserves and national parks in Oyo State.

In recent months, such areas have increasingly been linked to criminal operations, including banditry and kidnappings, due to their vast and difficult-to-police terrain.

Security agencies have since launched investigations to identify the attackers and determine the full extent of the casualties. Residents in Oloka and neighbouring communities have been advised to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives as patrols and clearance operations continue in the area.

Authorities assured that further updates would be provided as investigations progress and the situation on the ground becomes clearer.