Bandits attack NPS office in Oyo, kill 5

By Adejayan Gbenga

Suspected bandits on Tuesday night attacked the old National Park Service (NPS) office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, resulting in the death of an unconfirmed number of staff members.

The attack, which occurred at about 9:00 p.m., threw the area into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the facility and targeted personnel on duty.

The Conservator of the Park, Tesleem Kareem, confirmed the incident on Wednesday in Ibadan during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Kareem said that although casualties were recorded, the exact number of personnel killed had not been officially ascertained due to ongoing evacuation efforts.

“Yes, it is true. We are in the process of evacuating the victims,” he said, without disclosing further details.

However, sources told NAN that at least five NPS personnel were killed during the assault on the facility.

The sources added that the bodies of the victims had yet to be recovered, as they were believed to be located within the surrounding forest area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs had moved to the scene, with tactical teams and Mobile Police Force personnel deployed to restore law and order.

NAN