IBADAN — Suspected bandits on Tuesday night attacked the old National Park Service (NPS) office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing several personnel and throwing nearby communities into fear.
The attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. when armed assailants reportedly stormed the facility under the cover of darkness, catching NPS operatives unawares.
The Conservator of the Park, Tesleem Kareem, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that an unspecified number of service personnel were killed during the assault.
“Yes, it is true. We are in the process of evacuating the victims,” Kareem said.
Sources told NAN that at least five NPS personnel were killed. The bodies of the victims were yet to be recovered as of Wednesday morning, with reports suggesting they may be located within the surrounding forest area.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, also confirmed the attack, describing the assailants as unidentified gunmen.
“Yes, there was an attack by yet-to-be-identified men on officers of the National Park Service,” Olayinka said. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, was on his way to the scene.
According to Olayinka, tactical teams, operatives of the Mobile Police Force, and other security units have been deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Residents of Oloka and surrounding communities have been gripped by fear following the attack, with eyewitnesses describing it as violent and well-coordinated. Security presence has since been reinforced in the area as investigations continue.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the attackers or the motive behind the assault.
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