Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced a ₦5 million compensation for each family of forest guards killed during an attack at the Old Oyo National Park, alongside scholarships for the children of the deceased up to university level.
The governor made the announcement on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack site at Oloka village in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde said the state government would also rehabilitate the road linking Oloka community to Ikoyi-Ile under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project to improve accessibility.
He further pledged to enhance telecommunication services in the area, provide boreholes, and install solar-powered streetlights to improve living conditions for residents.
Makinde assured the community that joint security operations would be sustained to protect lives and property, adding that his administration would strengthen the state’s security architecture.
The governor also disclosed plans to formally request the establishment of a military base in Oloka, noting that security is a collective responsibility and urging residents to promptly share information on suspicious activities with security agencies.
While commiserating with the affected families and community members, Makinde commended service commanders for their commitment to maintaining peace across the state.
“I decided to come here personally to assess the situation and understand the challenges faced by our security agencies, particularly in terms of communication,” he said. “We will ensure that telecommunication companies install masts here to address this challenge.
“For the families of the victims, each will receive ₦5 million, and children left behind will benefit from scholarships up to the university level. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure effective clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park.”
The governor later led residents in observing a minute of silence in honour of the slain forest guards.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, revealed that three key suspects linked to the killing of the five forest guards had been arrested and were undergoing interrogation.
Members of the governor’s entourage included the Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Mojeed Mogbonjubola; Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Bayo Lawal; Director-General of the Oyo State Mineral Development Agency, Abiodun Oni; service commanders and other top government officials.
Traditional rulers present included the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, and the Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran, alongside religious and community leaders.
