BREAKING: Suspected Bandits Kill Five Park Rangers in Oloka, Ogbomoso

Suspected bandits on Tuesday night attacked Oloka village in Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso zone, Oyo State, killing five park rangers attached to the National Park Service (NPS).

ROUNDOYO gathered that the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, invaded the community at about 10:00pm and opened fire on the rangers while they were taking their dinner in front of their office within the village.

Confirming the incident to ROUNDOYO, the Baale of Oloka, Chief Joel Olatunde Alagbe, who was recently installed, said the slain officers were stationed in the community because of its proximity to a national park.

“Oloka borders the National Park, so the awogbos (park rangers) have an office here. They were sitting in front of their office and eating at about 10pm when the bandits suddenly opened fire on them,” Chief Alagbe said.

He added that the nature of the attack raised suspicion that explosives might have been used, as one of the victims was found with burn injuries. According to him, the attackers fled into the forest immediately after the operation.

The Baale disclosed that the police were promptly alerted and security operatives have since moved into the area. A source at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Owode Ogbomoso, confirmed the incident, noting that the matter has been escalated and is being handled by higher police authorities in Ibadan.

Further findings by ROUNDOYO revealed that the assailants had reportedly threatened to strike in the area for some time before carrying out the attack. A resident described the incident as a calculated operation, noting that no villager was harmed and no abduction was recorded.

“It looked like a targeted attack. Only the National Park Service officers were attacked, while the community was left untouched,” the resident said.

Chief Alagbe appealed to the Oyo State Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen security around Oloka and neighbouring communities to prevent further attacks. He also revealed that the suspected bandits were sighted again in the area on Wednesday morning but retreated after approaching the village.

One of the victims has been identified as Hammed Oyekunle Quadri