Five persons are feared dead following an attack by suspected bandits on a section of the National Park in Oyo State, the source reports.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, was said to have taken place around the Oyo-Ile axis of the Old Oyo National Park, sparking fear among park rangers, nearby communities and visitors.

A security source told that the assailants, believed to be armed bandits, invaded the park area and opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the death of at least five persons, including park personnel and civilians whose identities had yet to be confirmed as of press time.

According to the source, the attackers reportedly took advantage of the vast forest terrain of the park to carry out the assault before fleeing the scene.

“Five people are feared dead for now. Some others sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment,” the source said.

Residents of communities bordering the park said the sound of gunshots forced many people to flee their homes, while commercial activities were abruptly halted.

The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying that operatives had been deployed to the area to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Adewale Osifeso, told source that although details were still sketchy, security agencies were working jointly to secure the park and surrounding communities.

“Police tactical teams, in collaboration with other security agencies, have been mobilised to the area. Efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number of casualties and bring the attackers to justice,” Osifeso said.

Meanwhile, the management of Old Oyo National Park expressed concern over the attack, describing it as a serious security breach.

A senior park official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident underscored the growing security challenges facing protected forest reserves across the country.

Sources reports that the Old Oyo National Park spans parts of Oyo, Kwara and Niger States and has, in recent years, raised security concerns due to its vast and difficult-to-patrol terrain.

As of the time of filing this report, normal activities around the affected area remained disrupted, while security patrols had been intensified.