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By John Ogunsemore
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with an armed banditry attack at the Old Oyo National Park, Oloka area of Orire Local Government Area of the state.
The command disclosed this in a Saturday statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade.
He said the arrested suspects, including the alleged mastermind and ring leader, were part of a dreaded 10-man armed banditry gang that perpetrated the January 6 attack in which some forest rangers and operators of the National Park were killed.
Five persons died in the attack.
He said the police initially apprehended three adult male suspects –
Mohammed Dangi (52 years), Abubakar Abdullahi and Sheu Usman.
“During sustained interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and provided detailed
accounts of how ten (10) members of their armed banditry group, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the attack.
“Crucially, investigations revealed that the primary intention of the assailants was to forcefully free members of their armed banditry syndicate who had earlier been arrested and were in the custody of forest guards for various criminal activities within the National Park and adjoining communities, which they successfully did during the attack,” the command spokesman said.
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Ayanlade said the command built on these confessions and intelligence disclosures and launched further discreet investigation led to the arrest of four additional members of the syndicate on January 25.
The four male suspects were identified as Toro Malami, Male, 43 years; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32.
The command said, “Significantly, the arrested suspects which include the alleged mastermind and ring leader of the attack, have continued to provide credible and actionable intelligence, thereby strengthening ongoing efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to ensure that all remaining suspects are tracked down and brought to justice.”
The command reassured the good people of the state that it is doing everything possible, in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
“Members of the public are strongly advised to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading information, as such acts are capable of creating unnecessary panic and undermining public peace.
The command expressed appreciation to Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support, cooperation, and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of the state.
It also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his sustained leadership, strategic guidance, and operational support that ensured this success.
