Security agencies intensify crackdown after arrests linked to the Old Oyo National Park attack, as police vow to dismantle criminal networks operating in Oyo State.
The Oyo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against violent crime with the arrest of seven suspected members of an armed banditry gang accused of carrying out the deadly Old Oyo National Park attack that shocked residents earlier this year.
The arrests followed weeks of coordinated intelligence gathering and tactical operations launched after a violent raid on the Old Oyo National Park in Orire Local Government Area on January 6, 2026.
The incident, which claimed the lives of five forest rangers and park operatives, raised serious concerns about security around protected reserves and rural communities in the state.
According to police authorities, the arrested suspects include the alleged leader of the criminal group believed to have coordinated the assault.
The gang is said to comprise about ten members who carried out the operation using motorcycles and high-grade firearms, enabling them to strike quickly and retreat into forested areas.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command explained that the attack occurred around 9:00 p.m. when the assailants stormed the National Park office in the Oloka axis.
Witness accounts and preliminary findings revealed that the attackers opened fire on duty officers, overwhelming them before forcing their way into secured areas of the facility.
The brutality of the Old Oyo National Park attack prompted immediate action from the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, who ordered the deployment of special tactical units and intelligence operatives to track those responsible.
The Command Monitoring Unit was also directed to take over the investigation to ensure a focused and professional response.
Police sources disclosed that the first phase of the operation led to the arrest of three suspects.
During questioning, the individuals reportedly confessed to their roles in the attack and provided detailed information about how the operation was planned and executed.
They also revealed that the gang rode on five motorcycles and targeted the park specifically to achieve a strategic objective.
Further investigations uncovered that the primary motive behind the Old Oyo National Park attack was not only violence against security personnel but also the forceful release of gang members who had earlier been arrested by forest guards for crimes ranging from illegal grazing to armed robbery within the park and surrounding communities.
The attackers reportedly succeeded in freeing those detainees during the raid, escalating the severity of the incident.
Armed with fresh intelligence from the initial suspects, police operatives launched follow-up raids that resulted in the arrest of four additional suspects on January 25, 2026.
These arrests were carried out in different locations following careful surveillance, indicating the level of coordination among security agencies involved in the operation.
The police command noted that the suspects currently in custody have continued to provide useful and verifiable information, helping investigators map out the structure of the criminal syndicate.
This intelligence, officials said, has been critical in narrowing down the locations of other gang members who escaped after the Old Oyo National Park attack.
Security operations have since been intensified across border communities and forest corridors, with police working alongside other agencies to prevent the regrouping of the gang.
Patrols have also been reinforced around the National Park and nearby settlements to reassure residents and deter further attacks.
The Oyo State Police Command has reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stressing that criminal groups will find no refuge anywhere in the state.
Authorities warned that anyone aiding or shielding fugitives linked to the Old Oyo National Park attack would face the full weight of the law.
The command also called on residents to support security efforts by sharing credible information while cautioning against the spread of rumours and unverified reports capable of causing unnecessary fear.
Police leadership acknowledged the support received from Governor Seyi Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, noting that their backing strengthened logistics, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration throughout the operation.
As investigations continue, the police have vowed to dismantle the remaining cells of the gang and bring all those responsible for the attack to justice.
Officials insist that the arrests mark only the beginning of a broader offensive against armed banditry and organized crime threatening peace in Oyo State.
Ireport247news
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