In a brazen assault that has escalated fears over the security of Nigeria's forested regions, suspected bandits killed five officers of the National Park Service during an attack on their outpost in Oyo State.
Details of the Deadly Night Assault
The violence unfolded at the National Park Service facility in Oloka, within the Orire Local Council. According to reports, the armed assailants stormed the office at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Local sources indicate that the personnel on routine duty were overwhelmed in a fierce gun battle that lasted for several minutes. The attackers, described as well-armed and coordinated, reportedly retreated into the vast surrounding forest reserve after the assault. As of the latest updates, the bodies of the five slain officers have not been recovered, with residents believing they remain within the forest area.
Security Response and Panic in Communities
The attack sent shockwaves through Oloka and neighbouring communities, triggering panic and causing many residents to flee their homes for safety.
The Oyo State Police Command, through its spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayanlade Olayinka, officially confirmed the incident. Olayinka stated that the police received reports of the attack by yet-to-be-identified men and that security agencies had swiftly moved into the area.
Commissioner of Police CP Femi Haruna has ordered a significant security deployment to the zone. The response includes:
- Tactical teams from the police command.
- Officers from the Mobile Police Force (PMF).
- The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit.
Olayinka added that the Commissioner and other service chiefs were en route to the location, and a coordinated operation had begun to secure the area, restore calm, and track down the perpetrators.
Growing Concerns Over Forest Insecurity
This tragic incident has sharply renewed concerns about the safety of security personnel and government facilities in remote forest locations across the South-West. The Oloka office is situated close to a large forest reserve that security agencies have previously flagged as a potential hideout for criminal elements, including bandits and kidnappers.
In the aftermath, security has been reinforced across Orire Local Council and adjoining communities. Patrols have been intensified along major roads and forest routes. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements immediately.
The attack has also amplified calls from various quarters for:
- Stronger inter-agency collaboration among security forces.
- Improved intelligence gathering capabilities.
- Increased deployment of personnel and modern equipment to vulnerable forest regions.
Efforts to recover the bodies of the fallen officers and fully ascertain the extent of the casualties are ongoing as the manhunt for the attackers continues.
