A deadly attack shook the National Park Service (NPS) office in Oloka, Orire Local Government, Oyo State, on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, which left at least five personnel dead.
The assault, which occurred around 9:00 p.m., has prompted a swift response from security agencies, with the Oyo State Police Command deploying tactical teams, Mobile Police Force, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) units to the scene.
According to Oyo state Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, and other service commanders went to the location to assess the situation and coordinate further action.
Following the tragic attack on the National Forest Rangers’ Office at Oloka Village via Ikoyi-Ile, Femi Haruna, immediately conducted an on-the-spot security assessment of the affected area.
He was accompanied by heads of sister security agencies and the Commandant of the National Forest Rangers.
During the visit, Haruna assessed the security situation of the facility and held an interactive session with community leaders of Oloka Community, where he expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and reassured them of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“Contrary to some media reports, the attack was solely directed at the National Forest Rangers’ Office, and the swift, proactive deployment of police personnel prevented any further escalation in the surrounding community.
‘ Upon receiving information about the attack, the CP immediately deployed all available operatives and operational assets to the area, thereby, preventing further attack by the assailants and averting a potential breakdown of law and order.
“The Area Commander, DPO Ikoyi Division, Tactical Teams, and other operatives were tasked to move to the scene, secure the area, protect and gather evidence.
“The remains of the fallen officers have since been respectfully deposited, and the site was forensically swept to collect all available evidence.
“In furtherance of ongoing security measures, the CP directed the reinforcement of deployed personnel, including the deployment of additional intelligence operatives, alongside tactical teams and mobile personnel, to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response capabilities within the axis.
“The CP further mandated that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of this heinous act.
“Investigation has commenced, and credible evidence is already yielding promising leads to aid the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the attackers, numbering about 12, emerged from adjoining bushes, opened sporadic gunfire on the Rangers’ Office, and fled the scene.’
The Oyo State Police Command, however, reiterated its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state and assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspects and their eventual prosecution.
Haruna also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for his continuous support and guidance, which has strengthened the operational capacity of the command in tackling security challenges across the state.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will assist ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, in a statement issued via his X account on Wednesday, revealed that preliminary investigations showed that the incident was a cross-border attack, which was carried out by bandits.
According to him, “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. This is a devastating loss of the lives of personnel in the course of carrying out their lawful duties. May their souls rest in peace.
“Preliminary investigations by the security agencies indicate that this was a cross-border attack carried out by bandits.
“The security agencies are already working together to address this incident and seek the support of residents in the area to cooperate with them in their intelligence gathering.
“Let me appeal to residents of Oyo State, especially those in Oriire Local Government Area and other local governments along our borders, to remain calm as the security agencies have restored normalcy and deployed more personnel to the area.
“Our administration will leave no stone unturned to respond decisively to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.”
