The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has approved a compensation of N5 million for the families of forest guards who lost their lives in an attack that took place at the Old Oyo National Park.
The announcement was made on Friday as the governor assessed the scene of the incident in Oloka village, located within the Oriire Local Government Area.
On January 6, gunmen assaulted the National Forest Rangers’ office in Oloka village, Ikoyi-Ile, resulting in the deaths of five park rangers.
The attack occurred around 11:30 p.m., perpetrated by approximately 12 armed individuals who reportedly emerged from nearby bushes, opened fire indiscriminately, and subsequently fled the scene.
According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor has also granted scholarships for the children of the fallen guards, covering their education up to the university level.
Additionally, Governor Makinde announced plans to rehabilitate the Oloka–Ikoyi-Ile road to enhance accessibility in the region.
He expressed his commitment to improving telecommunication services, providing boreholes, and installing solar-powered streetlights in the community to better the living conditions.
During his visit, Mr. Makinde reassured residents of continuous security operations in the area to ensure their safety, emphasizing his administration's dedication to enhancing the state's security framework and improving living standards in the affected communities.
“I appreciate everyone's presence in Oloka and hope such an incident does not occur again. I assure you that the government will take all necessary steps to ensure your security. It is a tragic event, and I pray that God strengthens the families of those who were lost,
“I personally visited to understand the local situation and the challenges faced by our security forces. One major challenge is communication. I assure you that we will fund telecommunications companies to establish communication masts here.
“The gang members and those causing distress in the area will feel our reinforced security presence from now on.
“For the families of the deceased, each will receive ₦5 million. Representatives should come to us on Monday. For those who have left behind children, I will approve scholarships for their education all the way to university,
“We are collaborating with our service commanders to enforce necessary measures in the Old Oyo National Park and will enhance our efforts,” he stated.
In addition, the governor revealed intentions to reach out to military officials in Abuja to request a military base in Oloka to further bolster security in the region.
He noted the importance of collective security responsibility, urging locals to report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities promptly.
Governor Makinde praised the dedication of security personnel and service commanders in safeguarding lives and property throughout the state. He later led the community in a moment of silence to honor the fallen guards.
Meanwhile, Fatai Owoseni, the governor’s Special Adviser on Security and a former police commissioner, confirmed that three main suspects involved in the attack had been apprehended. He assured the community that investigations were ongoing, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies would work diligently to prevent criminal elements from establishing themselves in the state.
“Your Excellency has been thoroughly briefed about the incident's details, but you came personally to witness the situation firsthand.
“As of now, three significant suspects linked to the incident have been arrested, and our security leaders are in the process of interrogating them. They are committed to ensuring that criminal elements will not find shelter in this state,” he said.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!