Oyo student abduction: Govt alerted to suspicious activities in Ogbomoso forest in 2022
Fresh revelations have emerged following the recent abduction of students in three villages in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, showing that warnings about possible criminal infiltration of the Old Oyo National Park were raised as far back as 2022.
The warning was reportedly issued by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jacob Abidoye Bamigboye, who had alerted the state government and security agencies to suspicious movements around Yawota village and the Old Oyo National Park.
According to a report aired by Ajilete FM 92.1 and later shared on the Facebook page of the lawmaker on October 18, 2022, Bamigboye appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde through the office of the Special Assistant on Security to strengthen surveillance and security operations within the forest reserve.
The lawmaker raised the alarm while presenting a Matter of Urgent Public Importance at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
He disclosed that residents became apprehensive after a strange man reportedly purchased cooked beans and loaves of bread worth N30,000 from Yawota village and allegedly transported the food supplies into the Old Oyo National Park.
Bamigboye said the unusual development triggered fears that criminal elements could be hiding inside the expansive forest.
“The security agencies need to comb the forest to ensure criminal-minded elements are not lurking or hiding in the park,” the lawmaker reportedly stated during the Assembly proceedings.
He further expressed concern over the safety of residents in Ogbomoso zone, Oriire Local Government and particularly communities surrounding Yawota village.
The lawmaker also warned that failure to take proactive steps could lead to the emergence of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists operating from the forest to terrorise nearby communities.
The resurfacing of the 2022 warning has now generated fresh debate among residents and security observers following the latest abduction incident involving students in parts of Oriire Local Government.
Many residents have questioned whether earlier security interventions around the Old Oyo National Park could have prevented the growing insecurity currently being experienced in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the development.
