The Oyo State Police Command has announced a breakthrough in its investigation into the deadly armed banditry attack on the Old Oyo National Park, Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area, with the arrest of seven suspected members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident.
The suspects include the alleged mastermind and ring leader of the attack, which occurred on January 6, 2026, and claimed the lives of five people, including forest rangers and operatives of the National Park.
According to the police, the assailants arrived at the National Park office at about 9:00 p.m. on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated firearms, and launched a violent assault on personnel on duty. The attack resulted in fatalities and the forceful release of suspected bandits who had earlier been arrested by forest guards for various criminal activities within the park and surrounding communities.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, psc+, immediately ordered the deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
“This directive marked the commencement of an intensive, intelligence-driven operation,” the Command said, noting that the effort initially led to the arrest of three suspects before four additional members of the gang were apprehended in subsequent operations across different parts of the country.
The first set of suspects arrested were identified as Mohammed Dangi (52), Abubakar Abdullahi (adult), and Sheu Usman (adult). Police said the suspects confessed during interrogation, revealing that ten members of their gang, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the attack.
Investigations further showed that the primary objective of the assault was to free their detained accomplices, a mission the gang reportedly achieved during the raid.
Acting on further intelligence derived from the confessions, police operatives arrested four more suspects on January 25, 2026. They were identified as Toro Malami (43), Usman Alhaji Ummaru (adult), Laolo Muhammadu (22), and Usman Alhaji Isah (32).
The police said the suspects have continued to provide “credible and actionable intelligence,” which is aiding ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate. Operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, working with other security agencies, have intensified the manhunt.
Reassuring residents, the Oyo State Police Command said it remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state and warned members of the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.
The Command also expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for his support and commitment to strengthening security in the state, as well as to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his leadership and operational backing.
“The Oyo State Police Command states unequivocally that the state will never be allowed to serve as a haven for criminal elements,” the statement added, stressing its resolve to confront and dismantle all forms of criminality.
