Bandits launched a daring assault on the administrative office of the Old Oyo National Park, Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed Thursday, as he raised the alarm over deteriorating security in the state’s forest reserves.
The attack, which targeted the park’s facility at Sepeteri in the Saki East Local Government Area, has prompted the Oyo State government to call for an immediate reinforcement of security protocols around critical ecological and national assets.
Speaking during a security briefing in the state capital, Ibadan, Makinde detailed the breach, noting that the gunmen targeted the site used by park rangers and administrative staff.
‘Encroachment and Violence’
”We received reports of an attack on the National Park office at Sepeteri,” Governor Makinde told reporters. “The bandits are not just passing through; they are attempting to establish a foothold within the forest reserves, which poses a significant threat to the peace of our state.”
The governor explained that the vast, forested terrain of the National Park has become a strategic target for criminal elements seeking cover.
”They attacked the office, and while we are still assessing the full extent of the damage and potential casualties, it is clear that their intention is to intimidate those guarding our national heritage,” he added.
Call for Federal Support
The Old Oyo National Park, which spans over 2,500 square kilometers, is a federal asset managed by the National Park Service. Makinde emphasized that the state’s internal security outfit, “Amotekun,” is working in tandem with federal agencies to track the perpetrators.
”I have reached out to the federal authorities because the National Park is under their jurisdiction,” Makinde said. “We need a coordinated approach. We cannot allow these bandits to turn our parks into their operational headquarters.”
The governor also issued a stern warning to residents and those living in the fringes of the forest, urging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.
Escalating Rural Insecurity
The incident at Sepeteri follows a series of reports concerning the influx of foreign herders and armed groups into the northern stretches of Oyo State.
Local sources indicated that the attackers arrived in large numbers, wielding sophisticated weapons, before retreating back into the dense foliage of the park.
”Our security agencies are on their trail,” the governor insisted. “We are clearing the forests. If you are a bandit or an illegal occupant of our forest reserves, Oyo State will not be a safe haven for you.”
The state government has since announced the deployment of additional patrol vehicles and personnel to the Saki East axis to reassure the local community and prevent further incursions.
