Several members of Sunday Igboho's Iru Ekun private security outfit were injured during a fierce gun battle with suspected cross-border bandits in Old Oyo National Park, Oyo State. The operatives had deployed surveillance drones to locate criminal hideouts before coming under heavy fire from armed men in the forest.
Surveillance Operation Turns Violent
The incident occurred as the team was tracking armed criminal groups believed to be hiding in the vast forest. According to sources, the operatives first used drones to identify bandit camps and monitor movements before moving in. However, heavily armed men suspected to be cross-border bandits ambushed them, opening fire and sparking a gunfight.
Several Iru Ekun members sustained gunshot injuries, though the exact number remains unconfirmed. Despite the surprise attack, the operatives reportedly returned fire and resisted the attackers. It is unclear if any bandits were killed or injured, as no independent confirmation has been made.
Rising Insecurity in Oyo State
The attack comes amid growing fear following recent school kidnappings in Oriire Local Government Area. Armed men invaded schools, abducting pupils, students, and teachers, including Community High School principal Mrs. Rachael Alamu. One of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by his captors in a video released on Sunday, sparking widespread panic.
The Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forests have become a major security concern, with repeated reports of kidnappings and armed attacks. Residents have called for stronger security operations as bandits exploit the difficult terrain and limited security presence.
Community Reactions and Government Response
The attacks have triggered anxiety across communities, with parents withdrawing children from schools like Ijeru Baptist Basic School. Videos of abducted teachers pleading for government intervention have circulated online. Security experts warn that forests stretching across Oyo and neighboring states are increasingly used as hideouts, urging coordinated operations to address the threat.
The Oyo State Government has declared a curfew in all local governments around the Old Oyo National Park in response to the escalating crisis.
