By Seyi Odewale
Suspected bandits on Tuesday night carried out a deadly attack on the National Park Service (NPS) office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing no fewer than five park officials and throwing the area into panic.
The attackers, believed to have emerged from the surrounding forest, reportedly stormed the facility under the cover of darkness, catching personnel on duty unawares and forcing some to flee for safety.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Oyo State Police Command said senior security officials had mobilised to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, had deployed tactical units, Mobile Police Force personnel and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Security operations are currently ongoing, with authorities working to secure the vicinity and track down the assailants responsible for the attack.
As of the time of filing this report, the bodies of the slain National Park Service officials had yet to be recovered, as they are believed to be located within the expansive forest surrounding the facility.
The attack has renewed concerns over the safety of security and conservation personnel stationed in remote forest reserves, particularly in the South-West, where criminal gangs are increasingly exploiting vast, poorly policed terrains.
The incident adds to a growing list of violent attacks on security formations and government facilities across the country in recent days, underscoring mounting fears that banditry and armed criminality are spreading beyond their traditional strongholds.
Residents of nearby communities have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue and efforts intensify to restore calm to the area.
