Oyo Kidnapped Children: Several Sunday Igboho-Linked Security Operatives Injured In Fierce Gun Battle With Suspected Bandits

Several operatives of Iru Ekun, a private security outfit linked to Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, were reportedly injured after suspected cross-border bandits ambushed them during a security operation inside the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State.

According to sources familiar with the operation, the incident occurred while the security team was conducting a coordinated mission to identify, track and flush out suspected kidnappers and other armed criminal elements believed to be operating within the vast forest reserve.

The sources disclosed that the operatives had deployed surveillance drones to gather intelligence, locate suspected criminal hideouts and monitor the movements of armed groups before advancing into the targeted areas.

However, the operation reportedly took a violent turn when the team came under heavy gunfire from suspected cross-border bandits allegedly hiding within the forest. The unexpected attack triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire between the operatives and the armed assailants.

During the confrontation, several members of the Iru Ekun security outfit reportedly sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries. As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of injured personnel had not been officially confirmed, while details regarding possible casualties among the suspected bandits also remained unclear.

The latest incident has further heightened concerns over the growing activities of kidnappers, bandits and other heavily armed criminal groups operating across forests and remote communities in parts of the South-West, despite ongoing security efforts aimed at restoring peace and protecting residents.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Oyo State Police Command proved unsuccessful. Calls placed to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, were not answered as of the time this report was filed.