We Just £scaped D£ath’: Traveller Recounts Narrow £scape From Terrorist Att∆ck Near Old Oyo National Park

‘We Just Escaped Death’: Traveller Recounts Narrow Escape From Terrorist Attack Near Old Oyo National Park

One of the travellers told SaharaReporters that they received a call informing them that suspected bandits had attacked the reserve.

Some travellers narrowly escaped a suspected terrorist attack in Igbeti community, near the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State, on Sunday morning, amid growing concerns over the presence and activities of armed groups within and around the reserve.

One of the travellers told SaharaReporters that they received a call informing them that suspected bandits had attacked the reserve.

“The attack occurred just before we reached the Old Oyo National Park,” the source said.

According to the source, “At about 11:30 a.m. today, as we were about to get to the Old Oyo National Park, we received a call that an attack by suspected bandits had happened at the reserve. Minutes later, an Amotekun vehicle overtook us.”

“The Amotekun vehicle later stopped at Igbeti, and we approached them to inform them of what we had been told over the phone. One of the operatives who came to us confirmed that an attack had occurred but did not give further details,” the source said.

“The operative said they were about to mobilise other security operatives to take action.”

The latest incident has created fear among residents and travellers, particularly following the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

SaharaReporters gathered that security personnel, including operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, and other agencies, are currently monitoring the situation and tracking developments in the area.

According to another source, a separate deadly attack was recorded in the vicinity of the park on Friday, further raising concerns about worsening insecurity around the national reserve.

“An attack happened at the park the day before yesterday (Friday). The driver refused to stop. One person was killed and another sustained injuries,” the source said.

The attacks come amid persistent reports of bandits and suspected terrorists operating within forest reserves and remote areas across parts of the South-West and North-Central regions of Nigeria.

The Old Oyo National Park, which stretches across parts of Oyo State and neighbouring areas including Kwara state, has in recent years featured prominently in security discussions, following reports that criminal elements exploit forested terrain and difficult landscapes as hideouts.

When SaharaReporters contacted the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, he said he had seen reports of the incident but would issue an official statement once full details were obtained.

“A statement will be released once I get the full details of the incident,” he said.