Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected criminal, recovered an AK-47 rifle, and destroyed suspected criminal hideouts during a security operation in the Old Oyo National Park, where armed groups have been accused of operating.
The operation conducted on November 7 and 8 by troops of Operation IGBO DANU II under the Army’s 2 Division also led to the recovery of a Dane gun and an empty magazine, while the body of a suspected criminal was discovered during a follow-up operation.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account, titled “TROOPS OF OPERATION IGBO DANU II NEUTRALISE CRIMINAL, RECOVER AK-47 IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK.”
According to the Army, the operation was conducted in collaboration with hybrid forces and followed an encounter with suspected criminal elements on November 7, 2026.
The statement said the troops, while conducting operations within the park, engaged the suspects, who fled upon sighting the advancing soldiers.
It added that the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, and a Dane gun, further degrading the operational capabilities of the fleeing elements.
During a follow-up operation on November 8, the soldiers discovered the corpse of one of the fleeing suspects, confirming the neutralisation of one criminal element.
The Army also disclosed that temporary shelters believed to have served as hideouts were destroyed to disrupt criminal activities and deny the suspects safe havens within the forested area.
“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security stakeholders, remains resolute in sustaining operations to dismantle criminal networks, deny them safe havens and restore security across the 2 Division Area of Responsibility,” the statement said.
It added that exploitation of the general area was ongoing to track fleeing elements and prevent them from regrouping.
The latest operation comes amid growing security concerns over the use of the Old Oyo National Park as a hideout by suspected kidnappers and other criminal groups.
On 15 May, 46 pupils and teachers were abducted from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and taken into the national park.
The difficult terrain reportedly posed challenges to rescue efforts before security agencies eventually freed the victims on July 10, after 56 days in captivity.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
