Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that the deadly attack on the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, Orire Local Government Area, was carried out by bandits, describing the incident as a “devastating loss” for the state.
In a statement on X on Wednesday, Makinde said five National Park Service forest guard officers were killed during the attack while carrying out their lawful duties.
“Earlier today, there was a criminal attack by bandits at the National Park Office, Oloka Village which resulted in the death of five National Park Service Forest Guard Officers,” the governor said. “This is a devastating loss of the lives of personnel in the course of carrying out their lawful duties.”
The governor said preliminary investigations by security agencies indicate that the assault was a cross-border attack, suggesting the attackers may have moved into Oyo State from neighbouring areas.
Makinde added that security agencies are working jointly to contain the situation and prevent further attacks, while urging residents to cooperate by providing useful intelligence.
He appealed to residents of Orire Local Government Area and other border communities in Oyo State to remain calm, assuring them that normalcy has been restored and additional security personnel have been deployed to the area.
“Our administration will leave no stone unturned to respond decisively to prevent a recurrence of such attacks,” Makinde said.
The attack has heightened concerns over security around Nigeria’s forest reserves and border communities, where armed groups have increasingly targeted security personnel and public facilities.
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