The Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, on Thursday visited Oloka Village in Oyo State for an on-the-spot assessment following a deadly bandits’ attack on forest guards attached to the Oloka Rangers Barracks of the National Park Service of Nigeria.
The visit came barely a day after the assailants reportedly attacked the community on Wednesday, killing some forest guards stationed in the area. Senator Buhari described the scene of the attack as “gory and heartbreaking,” noting that the incident underscores the growing security challenges confronting rural communities.
During the visit, the lawmaker met with residents of Oloka Village, traditional leaders, and security operatives deployed to the area. He expressed deep sympathy to the villagers and shared in their grief over the tragic loss of lives, assuring them that their concerns would not be ignored.
Senator Buhari pledged to escalate the matter to appropriate authorities at the federal level, stressing the need for urgent and decisive actions to prevent a recurrence of such attacks. He emphasized that the safety of lives and property remains paramount and should not be compromised.
The senator also commiserated with the families of the slain forest guards, describing them as brave personnel who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. He urged the Federal Government to adequately support the bereaved families and strengthen the capacity of forest and security operatives working in vulnerable areas.
While interacting with security agencies at the scene, Senator Buhari encouraged them to adopt more proactive and intelligence-driven measures to secure the community and other adjoining areas, particularly those close to forest reserves.
He reiterated his commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure improved security architecture across Oyo North and safeguard residents from criminal elements.
“Once again, I commiserate with the families of the forest guards and the entire people of Oloka. We must collectively ensure that such tragic incidents are not allowed to repeat themselves,” the senator stated.
The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity around forest corridors in Oyo State, with residents calling for increased surveillance and sustained security presence in the affected areas.
