The Oyo State Police Command has detained seven terrorists in connection with the attack of the Old Oyo National Park in the Oloka region of the state’s Orire Local Government region, as well as the killing of five service officials.
On Saturday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, made a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, revealing this.
Chronicle NG reports that the terrorist group invaded the Old Oyo National Park office on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, around 9:00 pm on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated firearms, and launched a violent attack on forest rangers and other personnel. The attack tragically resulted in the death of five people.
According to Ayanlade, following the attack, the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, commanded the deployment of essential operational assets to the affected area and instructed the command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
He gave their names as Mohammed Dangi, Abubakar Abdullahi, Sheu Usman, Toro Malami, Usman Alhaji Ummaru, Laolo Muhammadu, and Usman Alhaji Isah.
The statement said, “The State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough with the arrest of seven members of the dreaded ten-man armed banditry gang, including the alleged mastermind and ringleader of the attack, responsible for the brutal assault on forest rangers and operatives of the National Park.
“In response to this violent development, and upon receipt of the report of the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, immediately directed the deployment of necessary operational assets to the affected area and ordered that the Command Monitoring Unit take over the investigation.
“This directive marked the commencement of an intensive, intelligence-driven operation, which led to the initial arrest of three suspects, followed by the subsequent arrest of four additional suspects. The suspects were apprehended at their various hideouts across different locations in the country through painstaking, intelligence-led investigation.
“The three suspects initially apprehended were identified as Mohammed Dangi—male, 52 years;
Abubakar Abdullahi—male, adult; and Sheu Usman—male, adult.
“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.
“Crucially, investigations revealed that the primary intention of the assailants was 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.
“Building on these confessions and intelligence disclosures, further discreet investigation led to the arrest of four additional members of the syndicate on January 25, 2026.
“They are Toro Malami—male, 43 years; Usman Alhaji Ummaru—male, adult; Laolo Muhammadu—male, 22 years; and Usman Alhaji Isah—male, 32 years.
“Significantly, the arrested suspects, who include the alleged mastermind and ringleader of the attack, have continued to provide credible and actionable intelligence, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.”
The PPRO added that agents from the Command Monitoring Unit, in concert with other security agencies, are stepping up efforts to find and prosecute all remaining suspects.
The police command reminded the state’s residents that it is doing all possible, in coordination with other security authorities, to secure the safety of lives and property throughout the state.
It warned the public to avoid disseminating unsubstantiated or inaccurate information, as such actions might cause unwarranted alarm and undermine public harmony.
“In recognition of the institutional support that facilitated this success, the command sincerely appreciates Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support, cooperation, and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of the state.
“The Command also appreciates the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his sustained leadership, strategic guidance, and operational support that ensured this success.
“Ultimately, the state police command will never be allowed to serve as a haven for criminal elements. It remains resolute, proactive, and unwavering in its commitment to confronting, dismantling, and neutralizing all forms of criminality within the state.”
