Bandits have attacked Oloka Village close to Ikoyi Ile in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing about five forest guards and injuring several villagers.
The fresh incident occurred less than a month after three people and a pregnant woman were shot, and some were abducted, with a 20 million naira ransom demanded.
A local source told MOUTHPIECE NGR on Wednesday that three forest guards and two casual staff were killed during the attack. The source added that their office was the main target.
Mr. Kehinde Salau, a villager that narrowly escaped the onslaught stated that the killed guards were officers of the National Park Service securing the Old Oyo National Park.
He noted that some narrowly escaped abduction when attackers stormed the forest guards’ office.
He added that the bandits destroyed property and abducted some villagers, explaining that they had invaded a community in Oriire Local Government Area last December, demanding 20 million naira as ransom and two motorcycles.
At the time of this report, efforts to reach the police command in the Oriire local government were unsuccessful. However, indications suggest that the dead bodies of the NPS officials killed have been moved to the Police Area Command in Ogbomoso this morning.
Meanwhile, residents who spoke to our correspondent continue to seek the urgent intervention of the Oyo State government for more adequate security in the communities of the Oriire Local Government Area.
The residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the attackers stormed communities unexpectedly, forcing many to flee for safety.
Another resident, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisal, said some villagers were attacked recently in Oriire.
“Bandit on rampage in Orire Local government. It started on November last year at Oko Ile when the man kidnapped narrowly escaped with gun shots and I in December at Ahorodada on kidnapped, pregnant woman and her child shot.*
The assailants were said to have stormed the village around 11:00 p.m., arriving on motorcycles and opening fire. According to the source, the pregnant woman was shot after pleading with the attackers.
