Members of Iru Ekun, a private security outfit linked to Yoruba Nation campaigner Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, were reportedly injured after suspected cross-border bandits allegedly ambushed the team during an operation inside the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident occurred while the operatives were conducting a mission aimed at tracking and dislodging suspected kidnappers and other armed criminal groups believed to be operating within the expansive forest reserve.
Meanwhile, the security team deployed surveillance drones to identify suspected criminal hideouts and monitor the movements of armed groups before advancing into the area.
However, the operation reportedly turned violent when the operatives came under attack from heavily armed men believed to be members of cross-border criminal networks.
The suspected bandits allegedly opened fire on the advancing security personnel, triggering a fierce gun battle deep inside the forest.
Several members of the Iru Ekun team were reportedly wounded during the exchange of gunfire. As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of injured operatives had not been officially confirmed.
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The security outfit mounted resistance against the attackers despite the surprise ambush, although the extent of casualties on the side of the suspected bandits could not be independently verified.
The Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forest corridors have in recent years become notorious for activities linked to kidnapping syndicates and armed criminal groups, with residents of nearby communities repeatedly raising concerns over insecurity in the area.
SaharaReporters previously reported that armed men attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, abducting pupils, students, and teachers, including the principal of Community High School, Ahoro‑Esiele, Mrs. Rachael Alamu.
Meanwhile, one of the teachers kidnapped alongside Mrs. Alamu, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed.
Oyedokun was beheaded in a video released by bandits on Sunday.
The viral footage showed the teacher tied up, forced to speak, and then gruesomely executed.
The latest panic at Ijeru Baptist Basic School reportedly disrupted academic activities, as many pupils were hurriedly withdrawn from classes by anxious parents and guardians.
Residents noted that fear of further school attacks has continued to spread across several communities, especially after multiple videos surfaced online showing abducted teachers pleading for government intervention from captivity.
