Several operatives of Iru Ekun, a private security outfit linked to Yoruba Nation campaigner Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, were reportedly injured after suspected bandits ambushed them during an operation in the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State.
The incident occurred while the security team was reportedly conducting a coordinated operation to flush out suspected kidnappers and other armed criminals believed to be hiding within the vast forest reserve.
Sources familiar with the operation disclosed that the operatives deployed surveillance drones to identify suspected criminal camps and monitor the movement of armed groups before advancing into the area.
However, the mission reportedly took a violent turn when heavily armed men, believed to be members of cross-border criminal networks, launched an attack on the team.
The assailants allegedly opened fire on the advancing operatives, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire deep inside the forest.
Several members of the Iru Ekun outfit were reportedly wounded during the confrontation. As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of injured personnel had not been officially confirmed.
The attack has renewed concerns over the growing activities of suspected kidnappers, bandits and other armed groups operating in forests and remote communities across parts of the South-West.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Oyo State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls placed to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, were not answered as of the time this report was filed.
