POLICE ARREST SEVEN BANDITS OVER DEADLY ATTACK ON OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits, including the alleged mastermind, in connection with the deadly invasion of the Old Oyo National Park in the Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of five park officials.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.
According to the police, the attack occurred on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., when a ten-man armed banditry gang stormed the Old Oyo National Park office on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated firearms. The assailants launched a violent assault on forest rangers and other park personnel, resulting in five fatalities.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, ordered the immediate deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
Ayanlade said the directive led to an intensive, intelligence-driven operation that culminated in the arrest of the suspects at various hideouts across different parts of the country.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Dangi (52), Abubakar Abdullahi, Sheu Usman, Toro Malami (43), Usman Alhaji Ummaru, Laolo Muhammadu (22), and Usman Alhaji Isah (32).
He explained that three suspects were initially arrested, while four others were apprehended on January 25, 2026, following further investigation and intelligence disclosures.
“During sustained interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and provided detailed accounts of how ten members of their armed banditry group, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the attack,” the statement said.
Investigations also revealed that the primary motive of the attack was to forcibly free members of the gang who had earlier been arrested and were in the custody of forest guards for various criminal activities within the national park and surrounding communities.
The police said the suspects successfully freed their accomplices during the attack and have since been providing “credible and actionable intelligence” to aid the arrest of other fleeing gang members.
The command added that operatives of the Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to track down and apprehend all remaining suspects.
Reassuring residents of its commitment to security, the police urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.
The command also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his support in strengthening the state’s security framework, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership and operational backing.
“The Oyo State Police Command will not allow the state to serve as a haven for criminal elements and remains resolute in confronting and dismantling all forms of criminality,” the statement added.
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