The Oyo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its investigation of the deadly armed banditry attack on the Old Oyo National Park, Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area, with the arrest of seven suspected members of the gang behind the assault.
The suspects, according to the Command, include the alleged mastermind and ringleader of the attack, which occurred on January 6, 2026, and claimed the lives of five people, including forest rangers and operatives of the National Park.
Police said the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles at about 9:00 p.m., heavily armed with sophisticated firearms, and violently invaded the National Park office, overwhelming personnel on duty.
The operation reportedly resulted in the forceful release of detained members of the gang who had earlier been arrested for various criminal activities within the park and surrounding communities.
Reacting swiftly to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, psc+, ordered the immediate deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.
This led to an intensive, intelligence-driven operation that culminated in the arrest of three initial suspects, identified as Mohammed Dangi (52), Abubakar Abdullahi, and Sheu Usman.Police said sustained interrogation of the suspects yielded confessions detailing how a 10-man gang, operating on five motorcycles, carried out the attack.
Further investigations, based on actionable intelligence, led to the arrest of four additional suspects on January 25, 2026.
They include Toro Malami (43), Usman Alhaji Ummaru, Laolo Muhammadu (22), and Usman Alhaji Isah (32).
The Command disclosed that the arrested suspects have continued to provide credible intelligence, aiding ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members
