The Ashipa of Ogbomosoland, Barr. Olusegun Adekunle, has urged residents and security agencies to strengthen vigilance, intelligence sharing, and community involvement following a deadly attack on park rangers at Oloka Village near the Old Oyo National Park.
Describing the incident as “painful and disturbing,” Adekunle noted that the rangers were killed while performing their lawful duties, an event that has sent shockwaves through Ogbomosoland and surrounding communities.
In a statement, he said the attack “has once again exposed persistent security challenges confronting communities around the Old Oyo National Park axis,” an area known for its expansive forests and porous boundaries that make it vulnerable to criminal activities.
While acknowledging improvements in security presence and surveillance since the attack, Adekunle commended security personnel for their dedication, emphasizing that they “continue to make sacrifices to protect lives and property, and therefore deserve greater public support, cooperation and timely intelligence to enhance their effectiveness.”
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He stressed that security is a shared responsibility, urging residents to remain alert, promptly share credible information, and avoid actions that could aid criminals.
Placing the attack within the broader South-West security framework, Adekunle highlighted the significance of the regional security fund established by South-West governors, designed to enhance intelligence gathering, logistics, and coordinated responses across state lines. He emphasized that “sustained funding and transparent utilisation of the initiative remain critical to tackling emerging threats, particularly in border communities.”
Adekunle also drew attention to the role of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) in supporting grassroots security efforts, noting that strong community-level protection is vital to safeguarding economic activities, particularly farming, which forms the backbone of many rural communities in Ogbomosoland and its environs.
Given Ogbomosoland’s strategic location along the Kwara State border, he stressed that cross-border collaboration and intelligence sharing are essential to curb criminal movements.
The traditional ruler also praised his counterparts across the five local government areas of Ogbomosoland for their stabilizing roles, calling for enhanced cooperation to mobilize communities, strengthen grassroots intelligence, and promote peace.
He prayed for the repose of the fallen park rangers and divine comfort for their families, describing the officers as heroes whose sacrifice “should inspire unity and collective action against insecurity in the zone.”
