Old Oyo Park Attack: Police Arrest 7 Armed Bandits

Sequel to the armed attack at the Old Oyo National Park in Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, the State’s Police Command said on Saturday evening said that seven members of the dreaded 10-man armed banditry gang have been arrested.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the arrest included the alleged mastermind and ring leader of the attack on the forest guards and operatives of the National Park.

According to him, the Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of the suspects.

It would be recalled that the incident occurred on January 6, 2026, at about 2100 hours, when the armed bandits, who reportedly arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and armed with sophisticated firearms, invaded the Old Oyo National Park office in Oloka village and launched a violent attack on forest rangers and other personnel.

The attack tragically resulted in the death of five persons.

“In response to this violent development, and upon receipt of the report of the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna immediately directed the deployment of necessary operational assets to the affected area and ordered that the Command Monitoring Unit take over the investigation.

“This directive marked the commencement of an intensive, intelligence-driven operation, which led to the initial arrest of three (3) suspects, followed by the subsequent arrest of four (4) additional suspects.

“The suspects were apprehended at their various hideouts across different locations in the country through painstaking, intelligence-led investigation,” the PPRO said.

He added that the three suspects initially apprehended were identified as Mohammed Dangi, male, 52 years, Abubakar Abdullahi, male, adult and Sheu Usman, male, adult.

“During sustained interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and provided detailed accounts of how 10 members of their armed banditry group, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the attack.

“Crucially, investigations revealed that the primary intention of the assailants was to forcefully free members of their armed banditry syndicate who had earlier been arrested and were in the custody of forest guards for various criminal activities within the National Park and adjoining communities, which they successfully did during the attack.

“Building on these confessions and intelligence disclosures, further discreet investigation led to the arrest of four additional members of the syndicate on 25th January, 2026.

“They are Toro Malami, male, 43 years, Usman Alhaji Ummaru, male, adult, Laolo Muhammadu, male, 22 years and Usman Alhaji Isah, male, 32 years.

“Significantly, the arrested suspects, which include the alleged mastermind and ring leader of the attack, have continued to provide credible and actionable intelligence, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

“Operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to ensure that all remaining suspects are tracked down and brought to justice,” he added.

Against this backdrop, he assured the good people of the State that the Command was doing everything possible, in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading information, as such acts are capable of creating unnecessary panic and undermining public peace.

“In recognition of the institutional support that facilitated this success, the Command sincerely appreciates the governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his unwavering support, cooperation, and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of the State.

“The Command also appreciates the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his sustained leadership, strategic guidance, and operational support that ensured this success.

“Ultimately, the Oyo State Police Command states unequivocally that Oyo State will never be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements.

“The Command remains resolute, proactive, and unwavering in its commitment to confronting, dismantling, and neutralizing all forms of criminality within the state,” he stated.

He added that, for emergencies, residents are to ontact
Oyo State Call Response Center Toll-Free Line: 615. Oyo State Police Command Control Room: 08081768614 & 07055495413.