The recent killing of forest guards by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has drawn sharp reactions from lawmakers, with Hon. Adedeji Olajide calling for immediate improvements in intelligence gathering and security coordination across forested communities.
The federal lawmaker, who represents Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, described the attack as a heartbreaking and troubling development that underscores the growing insecurity in rural parts of the state.
In a statement released through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Olajide expressed deep sympathy to the families of the slain forest guards and extended his condolences to the Oyo State Government, stressing that the victims paid the ultimate price in the course of protecting lives and public assets.
According to him, the incident exposed serious shortcomings in intelligence sharing and operational coordination among security agencies, particularly in forest areas that have increasingly become hideouts for criminal elements.
He emphasized that preventing future attacks would require a shift toward proactive, intelligence-led security operations, noting that forest guards and other frontline personnel must be supported with reliable information, modern equipment, and effective inter-agency collaboration.
Olajide further advocated for the strengthening of community-based intelligence structures, explaining that local residents are often best positioned to identify suspicious movements and alert security agencies before attacks occur.
He also urged security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance in vulnerable areas, while calling on residents to cooperate with authorities by providing credible information that could help prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
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