The Nigerian Army has taken control of the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State for military training, following the abduction of over 46 pupils and teachers from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area. This move aims to deny kidnappers and other criminal groups access to the vast forest. The army's General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, revealed this during a meeting with members of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shuaibu, directed the 2 Division to use the park as a training site after the victims of the Oriire abduction were rescued. The military presence in the park will make it difficult for criminal groups to continue using the forest as a hideout. This development marks a shift from the Army's earlier deployment around the park to a more sustained military presence in the area.
In September, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, visited troop locations around the Old Oyo National Park and charged soldiers to remain vigilant and maintain an aggressive posture against security threats. The visit included the Igbeti–Igboho–Sepeteri road, the headquarters of the 169 Motorcycle Battalion at Ikoyi-Ile, and the Abaja Response Area in Oriire.
The abduction occurred on May 15, when pupils and teachers from three schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area were kidnapped. The affected schools are Community High School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. The abducted victims spent 56 days in captivity before they were rescued by security forces on July 10.
The Army's decision to take over the park follows an intelligence-led operation that targeted the kidnappers' network and hideouts, including areas around the Old Oyo National Park. Converting the park into a military training ground will serve both operational and security purposes by keeping troops active in an area previously vulnerable to criminal activity.
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, appealed for closer cooperation between the military and the media, particularly in the verification of information relating to security operations. He urged the media to avoid publishing unverified information that could cause harm.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, received a report from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction in late September. The report was drawn from the accounts of 72 witnesses, including victims and experts. The state will review the report and its recommendations to identify institutional or operational failures and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army has taken over the Old Oyo National Park for military training to prevent kidnappings and criminal activities.
- The move follows the abduction of over 46 pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
- The military presence in the park aims to deny kidnappers and other criminal groups access to the vast forest.
