The Nigerian Army has taken over the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State, converting it into a permanent training ground. This move follows the abduction of over 40 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Auwal Mahmoud, disclosed this information while receiving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when more than 40 pupils and teachers from Community High School, Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire were taken. The victims remained in captivity for 56 days before security forces rescued them on July 10. The rescue operation involved the Nigerian Army, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, and local hunters.
According to Maj.-Gen. Auwal Mahmoud, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, ordered the division to take over the entire stretch of the park for military training. The measure aims to prevent criminals from using the forest as a hideout and avert a recurrence of the Oriire abduction. The park's difficult terrain had posed challenges to security operations, making sustained military presence and training within the area significant.
The Nigerian Army's decision to establish a permanent training ground in the park is expected to increase military activity within the forest and deny kidnappers the opportunity to establish hideouts there. This move forms part of measures to strengthen security around vulnerable communities and prevent another major abduction in the area. The park, a vast forest reserve, will now be used exclusively for military training.
The takeover of the Old Oyo National Park by the Nigerian Army is a strategic move to enhance security in Oyo State. By establishing a permanent training ground, the Army aims to improve its operational capabilities and response to security threats in the region. The decision was made to address the security challenges posed by the park's terrain and prevent future abductions.
The rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in July was a result of a collaborative effort between various security agencies and community-based personnel. The operation demonstrated the importance of interagency cooperation in addressing security challenges in Nigeria. The Nigerian Army's proactive approach to securing the region is expected to yield positive results.
The conversion of the Old Oyo National Park into a permanent training ground for the Nigerian Army marks a significant development in the country's efforts to tackle insecurity. The move is expected to contribute to improved security in Oyo State and serve as a deterrent to potential kidnappers and criminals.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army has taken over the Old Oyo National Park to prevent kidnappings and strengthen security around vulnerable communities.
- The park's difficult terrain had posed challenges to security operations, making sustained military presence and training within the area significant.
- The Army's decision aims to deny kidnappers the opportunity to establish hideouts in the forest.
