Nigerian Army Neutralises Suspected Criminal, Recovers AK-47 in Fresh Operation in Oyo
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected criminal and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a security operation at the Old Oyo National Park.
The operation, carried out on November 7 and 8 by troops of Operation IGBO DANU II under the Army’s 2 Division, involved collaboration with hybrid forces and resulted in the recovery of additional weapons and the destruction of structures believed to have been used as criminal hideouts.
In a statement published on its official website on Monday, the Army said troops encountered suspected criminals inside the park on November 7. The suspects reportedly fled after spotting the advancing soldiers.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun.
The Army disclosed that during a follow-up operation the next day, soldiers found the body of one of the fleeing suspects, confirming that one criminal had been neutralised.
The statement added that troops also demolished temporary shelters believed to have provided hiding places for the suspected criminals, in a move aimed at disrupting their activities and preventing them from using the forest as a sanctuary.
Operation IGBO DANU II is part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to dismantle criminal networks and clear forested areas of armed groups operating within the 2 Division’s area of responsibility.
It follows the launch of Operation IGBO DANU, also known as Operation Forest Flush, in January 2026 to target bandit camps and criminal enclaves in Kwara State.
The Army said the latest operation was part of sustained efforts, in partnership with other security agencies, to restore security and prevent criminals from establishing safe havens in the region.
It added that troops were still combing the area in search of the fleeing suspects and to stop them from regrouping.
The Army did not disclose the identity of the deceased suspect, the precise location of the encounter within the park or details of any other weapons recovered beyond the AK-47 rifle, empty magazine and Dane gun.
The latest operation comes months 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 reportedly taken into the Old Oyo National Park, where the difficult terrain complicated efforts to locate and rescue them.
They were eventually freed on July 10, after spending 56 days in captivity, following an intelligence-led operation involving the military and other security agencies.
The Army had said the rescue mission focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ networks, including their informants and hideouts within the park.
In October, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, announced that the military had taken over the entire national park for use as a training ground, as part of measures to prevent criminal groups from exploiting the area as a hideout.
