The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayolade Olayinka, has confirmed the killing of five officials of the National Park Service following an armed attack on a ranger outpost in Oyo State, assuring that those responsible will be arrested.
In an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Olayinka said the attack occurred late on Tuesday night at the National Park office in the Oloola area of Iwajowa Local Government Area, adding that security operatives have launched an extensive operation to track down the assailants and prevent further violence.
“My name is DSP Ayolade Olayinka, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command. The number of casualties, as I speak to you, is five. They were personnel of the National Park Service who were attacked at about 11:30pm last night,” he said.
According to earlier police findings, the assailants, numbering about 12, reportedly emerged from surrounding bushes, opened sporadic gunfire on the park rangers’ office and fled the scene.
Olayinka said security agencies had maintained active collaboration around forested areas prior to the attack, adding that intelligence and tactical efforts were now fully focused on apprehending those responsible.
“We have intelligence operatives who operate in close collaboration with the National Park Service, and of course we have been cooperating with other security agencies to ensure the safety of our forests and the communities around them,” he said.
“As concerning this particular issue, we have active intelligence operators around that axis and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the men responsible for this act do not go unpunished.”
Responding to concerns about possible security lapses, the police spokesman said investigations were still ongoing and declined to draw premature conclusions.
“The investigation into what happened is still ongoing. The Commissioner of Police has directed that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that those responsible are arrested and brought to book,” Olayinka said.
“We have forensically swept the affected area to gather evidence, and I can assure you that the evidence available is helping us to trace and identify those responsible and the reasons why such an attack took place.”
He reassured residents of Oyo State that measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence.
“I can assure the good people of Oyo State that such acts will not happen again,” he said.
Olayinka said the swift deployment of police and tactical units helped prevent further casualties.
“The Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Area Commander, the DPO and tactical teams around the axis to move to the scene, and that was what prevented further loss of lives and property,” he said.
“Additional operational assets have also been deployed to the affected area to safeguard lives and property.”
He added that the Commissioner of Police conducted an on-the-spot assessment alongside other security chiefs and met with community leaders to reassure them.
“He engaged community leaders, reassuring them of police protection and urging them to cooperate by giving necessary information. They can be rest assured that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, will ensure that these men are arrested and prosecuted,” Olayinka said.
On whether the attackers may have infiltrated Oyo State from neighbouring states such as Kwara, the police spokesman said investigations were still open.
“I wouldn’t want to pre-empt the investigation by saying they came from Kwara State or anywhere else,” he said.
“But we are spreading our tentacles and cooperating with the Kwara State Police Command and other neighbouring commands and security agencies to ensure that these men are arrested and prosecuted.”
The police say further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
Boluwatife Enome
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