By Ayomide Otitoju
The Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the gunmen responsible for the attack on the National Forest Rangers’ office in Oloka Village, Oyo State, which claimed the lives of five officers.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday during an on-the-spot security assessment of the affected facility. He was accompanied by heads of sister security agencies and the Commandant of the National Forest Rangers.
Addressing community leaders during an interactive session in Oloka Community, Haruna expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and reassured residents of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment, in collaboration with other security agencies, to preventing a recurrence of such attacks.
The police clarified that, contrary to some media reports, the attack was solely directed at the forest rangers’ office, noting that the swift and proactive deployment of security personnel prevented further escalation within the surrounding community.
According to preliminary reports, about 12 armed attackers emerged from adjoining bushes, opened sporadic gunfire on the rangers’ office, and fled the scene.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said the commissioner immediately deployed all available operatives and operational assets to the area upon receiving information about the attack, thereby averting further violence and a possible breakdown of law and order.
“The Area Commander, the Divisional Police Officer of Ikoyi Division, tactical teams, and other operatives were mobilised to secure the area, protect lives and property, and gather evidence,” the statement said.
The police added that the remains of the slain officers had been deposited, while the crime scene was forensically examined to collect all available evidence.
To strengthen ongoing security measures, the commissioner directed the reinforcement of deployed personnel, including additional intelligence operatives, tactical teams, and mobile police units, to enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response capabilities in the area.
The command reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state, assuring the public that investigations were ongoing and that credible leads were already being pursued to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack.
