Soldiers Recover AK-47, Destroy Criminal Hideouts in Old Oyo National Park

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered an AK-47 rifle, discovered the body of a suspected bandit and destroyed temporary criminal hideouts during a security operation inside Old Oyo National Park.

The operation was conducted by troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, under the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with hybrid forces, as part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within forested areas.

According to an operational report released by the Army on Monday, November 9, the encounter occurred on Saturday, November 7, when troops engaged suspected criminal elements during an operation inside the national park.

The suspected criminals reportedly fled after sighting the advancing soldiers, abandoning weapons and other items at the scene.

The troops subsequently recovered an AK-47 rifle bearing registration number 14907, an empty magazine and a locally made Dane gun.

During a follow-up operation on Sunday, November 8, soldiers discovered the corpse of one of the suspected criminals who had fled during the earlier encounter.

The military also disclosed that temporary shelters believed to have served as hideouts for the criminal elements were destroyed during the operation.

According to the Army, the clearance exercise was aimed at disrupting criminal activities, dismantling their operational bases and preventing armed groups from using the forest as a safe haven.

The military added that troops were continuing operations across the area to track fleeing suspects and prevent them from regrouping.

Old Oyo National Park has been associated with security concerns in recent months, following reports of kidnappings and the activities of armed groups operating within its extensive forest terrain.

The park attracted national attention after 46 pupils and teachers were abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. The victims were subsequently rescued on July 10 following an intelligence-led security operation.

Communities around Igbeti and Igboho have also repeatedly raised concerns about criminal activities within the forest reserve.

In October, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, announced that the Army had taken over the park as a military training area to prevent criminals from exploiting its terrain.

The latest operation forms part of ongoing military efforts to improve security across the region and deny armed groups access to forest hideouts.