Crime

Police Arrest Seven Suspected Bandits Behind National Park Attack

By Web News 338

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits in connection with the deadly attack on Old Oyo National Park in Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area.

The attack, which occurred on January 6, 2026, claimed the lives of five persons, including forest rangers and operatives of the National Park.

A statement by the command public relations officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade indicates that the suspects arrested included the alleged ringleader of the attack.

According to the command, the attackers, heavily armed with sophisticated firearms, stormed the National Park office at about 9:00 p.m. on motorcycles, overwhelmed personnel on duty, and forcefully freed detained gang members earlier arrested for various criminal activities within the park and surrounding communities.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, immediately deployed operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over the investigation.

The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of three initial suspects identified as Mohammed Dangi (52), Abubakar Abdullahi, and Sheu Usman.

Police said interrogation of the suspects revealed that a 10-man gang operating on five motorcycles carried out the attack.

Further investigations, based on actionable intelligence, resulted in the arrest of four additional suspects on January 25, 2026.

They include Toro Malami (43), Usman Alhaji Ummaru, Laolo Muhammadu (22), and Usman Alhaji Isah (32).


The command said the arrested suspects have continued to provide credible intelligence, aiding ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members of the gang and recover weapons used in the attack.

Lifestyle

Gov. Promises Welfare Scheme for Slain Forest Guards’ Families

By Web News 332

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has assured residents that his administration would work more to strengthen the security architecture for a safe and secured state. 

He stated this at the  this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. 

Governor Makinde also hinted on plans to draw up a welfare scheme for the families of recently slain five forest guards at the Old Oyo National Park in Oriire local government area of the state. 

In an interview shortly after the ceremony, Governor Seyi Makinde commended the effort of security operatives in sustaining the relative peace currently being experienced across the nation and assured residents that his administration would work more for a more secured Oyo state. 

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On his part, the Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo state, Julius Alabi commended both the federal and Oyo state governments for the improvement of their welfare. 

Security heads, Top Government Functionaries, Old Soldiers, Representative of Widows and Children of Slain Soldiers and the Olubadan of Ibadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja amongst others graced the event.

Every 15th of January is commemorated in Nigeria as armed forces remembrance day, a day set aside to appreciate, raise concern for the welfare of disabled, aged ex-service men, their widows and children of slain soldiers who fought during the first, second world wars, Nigeria civil war, international peace keeping missions and other internal security warfare.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Security

Nigerian Army 2 Division Begins Operation Omi Gbona

By Web News 575

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Headquarters 2 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan has begun conduct of Anti-Kidnap and Illegal Mining Operations codenamed, “Operation Omi Gbona”, within 2 Division’s area of responsibility.

This is contained in a statement signed in Ibadan by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye.

The statement notes that “Operation Omi Gbóná”, commenced on 21 May 2024 due to the growing incidences of kidnapping, illegal mining, armed robbery and other crimes, currently prevalent in the area.

It states that the influx of the criminal gangs was as a result of the Nigerian Army’s sustained offensive operations against them in the North West and North Central regions.

“Consequently, they search for nearest possible safe havens to continue their criminal activities; hence their obvious presence in the South West region.”

It states that the nefarious activities of the criminals, constitute severe threats to security and could impact negatively on the socio-economic activities of law abiding citizens within the region and the nation at large.

It also notes that It is in this light, that the Headquarters 2 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, commenced Anti-Kidnap and Illegal Mining Operations, codenamed, “Operation Omi Gbona”, within 2 Division Area of Responsibility.

Accordingly, the movement of military troops will be noticed around the old Oyo National Park as well as suspected forests where the criminals are believed to be hiding.

“The general public, is by this information, advised not to panic on sighting the movement of military troops.“

“They are to please go about their legitimate businesses and be assured that the actions of troops would be in the overall interest of all legitimate citizens of the region and the nation at large.“

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Crime

Seven Suspected Poachers Arrested in Oyo

By Web News 2146 2


By Kayode Oguntona

Protection of the rich, floral, fauna and archaeological resources of the Old Oyo National Park would be continually pursued in order to make it a masterpiece among other national parks in the country.

It is against this backdrop that illegal activities of hunting, fishing, mining and cattle grazing identified as a menace, are currently being tackled headlong by the park authorities.

The Conservator of Park, CP, Old Oyo National Park, Mr. Teslim Adeniyi – Kareem made this known while parading seven suspects recently arrested for various poaching activities in the park.

The CP attributed the successful fight against poachers to the logistic support provided by the Conservator General, CG, National Park Service, among others.

He said the suspects would soon be arraigned in court along with the guns, swords and roasted animals which they killed in the park.

According to him, similar arrests made in the past few weeks resulted in prosecution and conviction of sixteen illegal miners while thirty two others comprising cattle grazers, hunters and fishermen are currently facing court trial.


News Analysis

Promoting Nigeria’s Tourism Sector

By Web News 1099

Tourism is the activity of people traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure and pleasure.

It has become an important sector that has an impact on development of a country’s economy.

It has thus become a money spinner for many countries.

The benefits of tourism include income generation and creation of jobs.

When tourists spend their monies on goods and services, it can lead to creation of jobs.

Tourism is a major source of employment, and also contributes to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of the country.

Not only that, it also provides financial support for the conservation of ecosystem and natural resource management making the place more attractive and desirable to visitors.

To a large extent, the tourism sector fosters integration and unity among the nations of the world as well as generate foreign exchange.

Some of the tourist sites in Nigeria are the Olumo Rock, Idanre Hills, the National Theatre, Yankari Games Reserve, Old Oyo National Park, Olumirin Waterfalls, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Osun Osogbo Groove, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Tinapa Resorts, Zuma Rock and Mambilla Plateau.

Some countries such as United States of America, France, China, United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Egypt are benefitting tremendously from tourism.

However, a lot of factors such as insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, poor road network, crisis and conflicts among others have hindered the development of tourism in the country.

For instance, a lot of tourists have stayed away from visiting Nigeria in the last 3 years as a result of insecurity ranging from insurgency to militancy.

The time has come for the country to harness the potential in the tourism sector in order to protect its culture and heritage.

To do this, government at all levels should commit a lot of money to the development of the tourism sector.

Also, federal government needs to create a conducive environment so that visitors could be attracted to the nation’s tourist sites.

The provision of efficient transportation, stable power supply, water and telecommunications will make Nigeria a tourism destination for foreign nationals.

Above all, there should be attitudinal change by states and local government to improve their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, through tourism development thereby reducing dependence on federal allocation.

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