Suspected cross-border bandits have ambushed a security team led by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, during an operation at the Old Oyo National Park, leaving several members of the squad injured in a gun battle.
The attack occurred during a security mission conducted by Igboho’s private security outfit, Iru Ekun, which had entered the vast forest reserve to track down and flush out suspected kidnappers and bandits believed to be operating within the area.
According to information made available after the operation, the security team deployed drones to identify criminal hideouts and gather intelligence on the movement of suspected armed groups inside the forest.
However, the operation reportedly turned violent when the team encountered heavily armed men believed to be members of cross-border criminal networks. The suspected bandits allegedly opened fire on the advancing security operatives, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Several members of the Iru Ekun security squad were said to have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation, although the exact number of casualties was not immediately disclosed.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over the activities of criminal elements operating in forests and remote communities across parts of the South-West region.
Confirming developments surrounding the attack, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said preliminary investigations by state security agencies indicated that the assailants were suspected cross-border bandits.
The governor noted that security agencies were continuing investigations into the incident and working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The operation was reportedly part of ongoing efforts aimed at combating kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in and around the Old Oyo National Park, an area that has repeatedly been linked to criminal activities in recent years.
Eyewitness accounts shared on social media indicated that drones were actively deployed during the operation to scan difficult terrain and identify possible criminal camps hidden within the forest.
Security analysts say the use of aerial surveillance technology reflects the growing reliance on intelligence-led operations in tackling insecurity, particularly in dense forest environments that often provide cover for armed groups.
As investigations continue, residents of communities surrounding the park have called for increased collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the safety of the area.
The latest confrontation underscores the persistent security challenges facing parts of the country and the dangers encountered by security personnel and local operatives engaged in efforts to combat criminal networks operating across state and national borders.