Oyo State Police Command has recovered the remains of five Forest Rangers who were killed at the National Park Service Office, Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The remains, according to the Command’s spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka, were recovered yesterday when the Commissioner of Police (CP), Femi Haruna, led other security chiefs to assess the scene.
The CP, it was gathered, was accompanied by heads of sister security agencies and the Commandant of the National Forest Rangers.
He said tactical teams, including Mobile Police Force officers and EOD had been deployed to the affected area, on the orders of the CP to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Olayinka said preliminary reports indicate that the attackers, numbering about 12, emerged from adjoining bushes, opened sporadic gunfire on the Rangers’ Office, and fled the scene.
He said investigation has started, and credible evidence was yielding leads to aid the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible.
The Nation reports that suspected gunmen attacked the facility on Tuesday, leaving five officers dead.
Olayinka said contrary to some media reports, the attack was directed at the National Forest Rangers’ Office, but the swift, proactive deployment of police personnel prevented any further escalation in the surrounding community.
He also pointed out that the site has been forensically swept to collect evidence.
He said during the visit of the CP, he also held an interactive session with community leaders of Oloka Community, where he expressed condolences over the loss of lives and reassured them of the commitment of the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
He noted that upon receiving information about the attack, the CP deployed operatives and operational assets to the area, preventing further attack by the assailants and averting a potential breakdown of law and order.
Olayinka said: “Following the tragic attack on the National Forest Rangers’ Office at Oloka Village via Ikoyi-Ile, Oyo State, which occurred on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, at about 2330 hours, and claimed the lives of five officers, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna, immediately conducted an on-the-spot security assessment of the affected area.
“The Commissioner of Police was accompanied by heads of sister security agencies and the Commandant of the National Forest Rangers.
“During the visit, the CP assessed the security situation of the facility and held an interactive session with community leaders of Oloka Community, where he expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and reassured them of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
“Contrary to some media reports, the attack was solely directed at the National Forest Rangers’ Office, and the swift, proactive deployment of police personnel prevented any further escalation in the surrounding community.”
He said further, “Immediately upon receiving information about the attack, the CP deployed all available operatives and operational assets to the area, thereby preventing further attack by the assailants and averting a potential breakdown of law and order.
“The Area Commander, DPO Ikoyi Division, Tactical Teams, and other operatives were tasked to move to the scene, secure the area, protect and gather evidence.
“The remains of the fallen officers have since been respectfully deposited, and the site was forensically swept to collect all available evidence.
“In furtherance of ongoing security measures, the Commissioner of Police directed the reinforcement of deployed personnel, including the deployment of additional intelligence operatives, alongside tactical teams and mobile personnel, to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid response capabilities within the axis.
“The CP further mandated that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of this heinous act.
“Investigation has commenced, and credible evidence is already yielding promising leads to aid the identification, arrest, and prosecution of those responsible.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the attackers, numbering about 12, emerged from adjoining bushes, opened sporadic gunfire on the Rangers’ Office, and fled the scene.
The Oyo State Police Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspects and their eventual prosecution.
“The Commissioner of Police also appreciates the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for his continuous support and guidance, which has strengthened the operational capacity of the Command in tackling security challenges across the state.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will