Why Old Oyo National Park Has Become a Security Flashpoint in South-West Nigeria

Old Oyo National Park has increasingly become the focus of security operations in South-West Nigeria, with repeated reports of anti-kidnapping missions, forest raids and efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts.

The park returned to public attention after members of Sunday Igboho’s Iru Ekun security outfit were reportedly ambushed while tracking suspected kidnappers within the forest reserve. Although the injured operatives have since recovered, according to Igboho, the incident once again highlighted the security challenges associated with one of Nigeria’s largest protected forests.

But why does Old Oyo National Park continue to appear in conversations about insecurity?

Where Is Old Oyo National Park?

Old Oyo National Park is located primarily in Oyo State and covers thousands of square kilometres of savannah woodland, forests and protected wildlife habitat.

Originally established to preserve biodiversity and historical sites linked to the old Oyo Empire, the park today serves environmental, tourism and conservation purposes.

Its vast size and rugged terrain, however, also make surveillance difficult.

Why Criminal Groups Target Forest Areas

Security experts have long observed that large forests can present operational challenges because of their dense vegetation, multiple entry points and limited road access.

Such terrain may be exploited by criminal groups seeking temporary hideouts or routes that are more difficult for law enforcement to monitor.

For this reason, security agencies periodically conduct operations in forests across Nigeria, particularly in areas where kidnapping, armed robbery or illegal camps have been reported.

Recent Security Operations

Old Oyo National Park has recently been the site of several security-related operations.

The latest involved members of the Iru Ekun security outfit, who reportedly entered the forest while tracking suspected kidnappers using surveillance drones before coming under attack from heavily armed men.

Sunday Igboho later confirmed that the injured operatives had recovered and vowed that the group’s operations against criminal elements would continue.

Government agencies have also carried out security operations in forest areas across Oyo State as part of wider efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crime.

The Challenge for Security Agencies

Policing large forest reserves presents unique logistical difficulties.

Security personnel often have to contend with:

Dense vegetation limiting visibility.
Multiple access routes.
Vast areas requiring significant manpower.
Communication challenges in remote locations.
Difficult terrain for vehicles and equipment.

Because of these factors, many operations require careful planning, intelligence gathering and coordination among different security agencies.

Why Local Communities Remain Concerned

Communities surrounding forest reserves are often the first to experience the impact of insecurity.

Residents have, over the years, raised concerns about attacks on farmers, highway robberies and kidnappings allegedly linked to criminal groups operating from remote forest locations.

These concerns have led to increased collaboration between government security agencies, state-backed initiatives and community-based groups in some areas.

What Authorities Are Doing

Federal and state authorities have continued to introduce measures aimed at improving forest security.

These include increased surveillance, joint security operations, intelligence gathering and initiatives designed to strengthen security presence around vulnerable communities.

Authorities have also emphasised cooperation between security agencies and local communities in addressing emerging threats.

Looking Ahead

Old Oyo National Park remains one of Nigeria’s most important ecological assets, but recent incidents have also drawn attention to the complex security challenges associated with protecting vast forest reserves.

As authorities continue operations against criminal groups, balancing conservation, tourism and public safety will remain an important priority.

The latest developments involving Iru Ekun operatives have once again placed the park at the centre of national discussions about forest security and the broader fight against kidnapping in Nigeria.