*Attackers freed illegal miners from NPS custody
By Adeyinka Adeniran
No fewer than seven suspected bandits have been arrested in connection with the attack of the Nigerian Park Service, Oloka Village, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The arrested suspects also included the dreaded ring leader of the team.
The suspects, it was gathered were arrested from different parts of thencountry including Niger, Benue, Kwara amongst other places.
A source who hinted on the development said about ten bandits attacked the officers of the NPS, solely on a mission.
The Nation investigation revealed that the bandits who attacked the facility were on a retaliatory mission as a result of the ‘high’ demands of cash placed on some suspects who had been arrested by the NPS officials for carrying out illegal mining activities within the Forest reserves.
According to the Source, five suspects had been arrested by the NPS officers and had demanded the sum of N200,000 for the release of each of the detained suspects.
Unknown to the NPS officers, those who had showed up to plead and facilutate the release of the five illegal miners in custody were also part of the illegal business.
Unable to broker a truce, the attackers were said to have mobilised after carrying out enough survey of the NPS office, and launched an attack on the officers, solely to rescue their colleagues.
Those in the NPS custody were successfully rescued during the operation that also led to the death of the five officers of the NPS
The Source also alleges that some traditional rulers in the area were also deeply involved in the illegal mining operations sites within the forest areas.
He added that the attackers were gathered from different parts of the country.
When contacted, the Spokesman of the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police, Ayanlade Olayinka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed the arrest but didn’t give details.
He said the Police is still carrying out investigation into the matter.
Corenews.ng reports that suspected gunmen attacked the facility on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, killing five forest rangers.
