Fear Grips Oyo Community as Residents Flee After Deadly Attack on Forest Rangers

Scores of residents in Oloka village, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have abandoned their homes and sought refuge elsewhere following a brazen nighttime attack by suspected gunmen that left five forest rangers dead at the Old Oyo National Park.The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, around 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., when approximately 12 armed assailants reportedly emerged from surrounding bushes and opened fire on the National Park Service office in Oloka village. The attackers fled the scene after the assault.The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the killings, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, personally visiting the site on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment. He has since ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams, mobile police units, and explosive ordnance personnel to secure the area and prevent further incidents.Despite these security reinforcements, panic persists among villagers. Many homes remain locked and deserted, with streets eerily quiet and social and economic activities grinding to a halt. Residents fled shortly after the gunfire erupted, and as of Friday, January 9, 2026, numerous families had not returned.Speaking anonymously to reporters, one resident described the village as "empty" since the attack, noting that people left immediately after hearing the gunshots that claimed the lives of the five rangers. "Many of the people who left are yet to return. Many houses are under lock and key," the resident said.Villagers have appealed to the state government and security agencies to establish permanent security posts in the area to restore confidence and prevent future attacks. They expressed deep fear of further violence, given the proximity of the park to vast forest reserves often linked to criminal hideouts.The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity in forested regions of the South-West, with residents urging sustained measures to ensure their safety and enable them to return home. Police continue investigations into the motive and identity of the perpetrators.

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