Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed the killing of five Forest Guard officers of the National Park Service following a bandit attack on the agency’s office in Oloka Village, Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The governor disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday evening via his official Facebook page, describing the incident as a painful and devastating loss to the state and the nation.
According to Makinde, preliminary reports from security agencies indicate that the assault was a cross-border operation carried out by suspected bandits who stormed the National Park Service office. He noted that the officers were on lawful duty at the time of the attack.
“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. This is a devastating loss of lives of personnel who were carrying out their lawful duties,” the governor said, while praying for the peaceful repose of the victims’ souls.
Governor Makinde assured residents that security agencies are working together to investigate the incident and track down those responsible. He added that additional security personnel have been deployed to the area to strengthen surveillance and ensure public safety, noting that calm has since been restored.
The governor also urged residents of Oriire Local Government Area and other border communities to remain calm and support security efforts by volunteering credible information that could aid investigations.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, Makinde stressed that the state government would take decisive actions to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
“Our administration will leave no stone unturned in responding decisively to forestall a recurrence of this kind of attack,” he stated.
