OPC arrests suspected kidnappers terrorising old Oyo national park
Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) apprehended three individuals suspected of kidnapping in the Old Oyo National Park on Tuesday. The suspects are believed to be part of a gang responsible for terrorizing visitors in the area.
The Old Oyo National Park, which spans across ten local government areas in Oyo State and one in Kwara State, has experienced a rise in criminal activities. In 2025, an attack in the park resulted in the deaths of several forest guards.
Earlier this year, in May, 39 students and seven teachers from communities within the Oriire local government area were abducted by kidnappers believed to be operating inside the park.
Kehinde Zaccheus, the OPC Coordinator in Eseke village, shared details of the arrests during a press briefing. He reported that the suspects were detained at different times by the OPC patrol team. One individual was arrested in Eseke village while the other two were apprehended in Igbeti, located in the Olorunsogo local government area.
Zaccheus noted that the suspects were found in possession of sophisticated firearms and have since been transferred to the police for further investigation. The arrests occurred at Ikoyi-Ile and Igbeti, where the OPC continues to monitor security concerns in the region.
