National Park Guards Killed as Bandits Attack Oriire Community in Oyo

Bandits have launched a deadly attack on Oloka Village near Ikoyi Ile in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing five personnel attached to the Old Oyo National Park and injuring several villagers.

The attack, which occurred late Tuesday night, is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to armed groups operating around communities bordering the National Park. It comes less than a month after three people and a pregnant woman were shot in the area, while others were abducted with a ransom of ₦20 million demanded.

A local source told MOUTHPIECE NGR on Wednesday that the assailants specifically targeted the forest guards’ office, killing three National Park Service (NPS) officers and two casual staff during the assault.

Confirming the incident, a villager, Mr. Kehinde Salau, who narrowly escaped the attack, said the victims were forest guards deployed to secure the Old Oyo National Park. He added that some officers and villagers narrowly escaped abduction when the attackers stormed the facility.

According to him, the bandits vandalised properties and abducted some residents. He recalled that the same armed group had invaded another community in Oriire Local Government Area in December, during which they demanded ₦20 million ransom and two motorcycles.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the police authorities in Oriire Local Government Area were unsuccessful. However, it was gathered that the bodies of the slain National Park Service officials have been evacuated to the Police Area Command in Ogbomoso.

Residents of the affected communities have continued to call on the Oyo State Government to urgently strengthen security across Oriire Local Government Area, describing the attack as terrifying and sudden.

One resident, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal, said the banditry had been ongoing since November last year.

“The attacks started in November at Oko Ile, where a man narrowly escaped abduction after gunshots. In December, at Ahorodada, a pregnant woman and her child were shot during a kidnapping attempt,” the resident said.

Sources added that the attackers arrived the village around 11:00 p.m. on motorcycles, firing sporadically. The pregnant woman was reportedly shot after pleading with the assailants, further heightening fears among residents of communities around the National Park.

OYO NEWS