By Ayomide Otitoju
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced a compensation of N5 million each for the families of forest guards recently killed at the Old Oyo National Park, alongside scholarships covering university education for their children.
The governor made the announcement on Saturday during an on-the-spot assessment of the incident site at Oloka Village in Oriire Local Government Area, Ogbomoso. He also pledged infrastructural and security improvements for the community, including the rehabilitation of the road from Ikoyi-Ile under the Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project (RAAMP), installation of boreholes, solar-powered street lights, and enhanced telecommunication services.
Makinde further promised a sustained joint security effort and said he would write to military authorities in Abuja to request the establishment of a military base in Oloka to strengthen local security. He also urged residents to report suspicious activities, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.
Commiserating with the affected families, the governor said: “For the families that lost their loved ones in this unfortunate incident, each will be given N5 million. Children left behind will receive scholarships up to university level. We are working very hard with our service commanders to ensure all necessary measures are in place in the Old Oyo National Park.”
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), confirmed the arrest of three key suspects involved in the killing of the five forest guards, noting that further investigations are ongoing. He praised the governor’s dedication to supporting security operatives and assured that the agencies would continue to safeguard lives and property.
Governor Makinde was accompanied by top government officials, traditional rulers including the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, and community and religious leaders during the visit.
The visit underscores the state government’s commitment to reinforcing security and improving living conditions in communities affected by violence in Oyo State.
