By Modupe Bankole
At least five personnel of the National Park Service (NPS) were allegedly killed on Tuesday night when suspected bandits attacked the agency’s office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Information available revealed that the attack occurred at about 9:00 p.m. and was carried out by yet-to-be-identified gunmen who stormed the NPS facility.
An eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the attack had forced residents to flee the town, leaving Oka largely deserted. The source added that the traditional ruler of the town, the Baale of Oloka, Chief Joel Olatunde Alagbe, has also left the town amidst this development as security agencies continue efforts to stabilise the area.
Preliminary reports indicated that five NPS personnel allegedly lost their lives during the attack, while their bodies were yet to be recovered as they were believed to be within the surrounding forest area as of the time of filing this report.
Security sources said the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, was already on the way to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate security operations. The Commissioner of Police has also deployed tactical teams, Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) operatives and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order, while efforts are ongoing to restore calm and apprehend the attackers.
