Alleged ringleader, six others arrested over bandit attack on Oyo national park

By Adeola Badru

Seven suspected members of an armed bandit gang, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested in connection with a deadly attack on the Old Oyo National Park, the Oyo State Police Command has confirmed.

The command said the arrests followed an intensive, intelligence-led operation after armed bandits attacked the park’s Oloka area in Orire Local Government Area on 6 January 2026, killing five people.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the police said: “The armed bandits reportedly arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated firearms, and launched a violent attack on forest rangers and other personnel at the Old Oyo National Park office.”

It said, following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Femi Haruna, ordered the immediate deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.

“Upon receipt of the report of the attack, I immediately directed the deployment of necessary operational assets to the affected area and ordered that the Command Monitoring Unit take over the investigation.”

“This marked the commencement of an intensive, intelligence-driven operation. Three suspects were initially arrested, identified as Mohammed Dangi, 52; Abubakar Abdullahi; and Sheu Usman.”

Police said: “During sustained interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and provided detailed accounts of how ten members of their armed banditry group, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the attack.”

The police added that the assailants’ main goal had been to ” “forcefully free members of their armed banditry syndicate who had earlier been arrested and were in the custody of forest guards for various criminal activities within the National Park and adjoining communities, which they successfully did during the attack.”

According to the police, further investigation led to the arrest of four additional suspects on 25 January 2026: Toro Malami, 43; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32.

The police said the suspects, including the alleged ringleader, “have continued to provide credible and actionable intelligence, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.”

Reassuring residents, the Oyo State Police Command said: ” We are doing everything possible, in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State.”

“Members of the public are strongly advised to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading information, as such acts are capable of creating unnecessary panic and undermining public peace.”

The command also thanked state and federal leadership, stating: “We sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE, for his unwavering support, cooperation, and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of the State.”

“We also appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his sustained leadership, strategic guidance, and operational support that ensured this success.”

The police emphasised their stance against criminality, nothing that: “Oyo State will never be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements.”

“The Command remains resolute, proactive, and unwavering in its commitment to confronting, dismantling, and neutralising all forms of criminality within the State.”

“Emergency contacts provided include the Oyo State Call Response Center toll-free line 615, and the Oyo State Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413,” the police said.

Vanguard News

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