The Oyo State Police Command says it has arrested seven suspects in connection with the January 6 attack on forest rangers at the Old Oyo National Park.
In a statement on Saturday, Ayanlade Olayinka, the command’s public relations officer, confirmed that the suspects include the alleged mastermind and leader of the gang responsible for the attack.
The attack, which occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 6, 2026, saw armed bandits arriving in large numbers on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated firearms.
They launched a violent assault on forest rangers and other personnel at the Old Oyo National Park office, leading to the tragic deaths of five individuals.
Following the deadly attack, Femi Haruna, the commissioner of police for Oyo State, immediately deployed operational assets to the region and instructed the command’s monitoring unit to take over the investigation.
Olayinka noted that the first three arrests were made shortly after the attack, with suspects identified as Mohammed Dangi, 52; Abubakar Abdullahi; and Sheu Usman.
During interrogation, the police said the suspects confessed to the crime, providing detailed accounts of the attack. They revealed that ten members of their bandit group, riding five motorcycles, carried out the raid.
The attackers’ primary goal was to free members of their gang who had been captured earlier and were being held by the forest guards—a plan they successfully executed during the assault.
Further investigation led to the arrest of four more suspects on January 25, 2026. These individuals were identified as Toro Malami, 43; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32. According to Olayinka, these suspects have continued to provide valuable intelligence, helping law enforcement track down additional gang members who remain at large.
The police spokesperson assured the public that security agencies are working together to ensure the remaining suspects are apprehended and brought to justice. He also emphasized the commitment of the Oyo State Police Command to safeguarding the lives and property of residents, urging against the spread of unverified information that could incite panic.
“The Oyo State Police Command states unequivocally that Oyo State will never be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements,” Olayinka concluded.
