The move, police said, triggered an intensive, intelligence-driven operation across several locations.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of an armed banditry gang linked to a deadly attack on the Old Oyo National Park in Orire Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said the suspects include the alleged mastermind and ring leader of the 10-man gang responsible for the January 6, 2026 assault on forest rangers and operatives of the National Park, which claimed five lives.
The attack occurred at about 9pm when the bandits, said to have arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and wielding sophisticated firearms, stormed the National Park office in the Oloka area and opened fire on rangers and other personnel.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, immediately ordered the deployment of operational assets to the area and directed the Command Monitoring Unit to take over investigations.
The move, police said, triggered an intensive, intelligence-driven operation across several locations.
The police spokesperson said three suspects were initially arrested and later identified as Mohammed Dangi, 52; Abubakar Abdullahi; and Sheu Usman.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to participating in the attack and disclosed that 10 gang members, riding on five motorcycles, carried out the operation.
Investigations further revealed that the primary objective of the attack was to forcibly free members of the gang who had earlier been arrested by forest guards for various criminal activities within the National Park and neighbouring communities, a mission the attackers reportedly achieved during the raid.
Building on the confessions and intelligence obtained, the police said four additional suspects were arrested on January 25, 2026.
They were identified as Toro Malami, 43; Usman Alhaji Ummaru; Laolo Muhammadu, 22; and Usman Alhaji Isah, 32.
The police noted that the suspects, including the alleged gang leader, have continued to provide “credible and actionable intelligence,” aiding ongoing efforts to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate.
According to Olayinka, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, working with other security agencies, are said to be intensifying operations to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The Command reassured residents that it remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state, while urging members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.
The command also acknowledged the support of Governor Seyi Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for their backing and leadership, which it said contributed to the operational success.
The police reiterated that Oyo State would not be allowed to serve as a safe haven for criminal elements and pledged to remain resolute in confronting and dismantling criminal networks in the state.