Oyo Park Killings: Makinde Visits Oloka, Okays ₦5m Compensation, Scholarships For Victims’ Children

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday visited Oloka village in Oriire Local Government Area to assess the scene of the recent deadly attack on forest guards at the Old Oyo National Park, announcing far-reaching relief and security measures aimed at easing the pain of affected families and restoring public confidence.

During the on-the-spot inspection, the governor approved a compensation package of ₦5 million for each family of the slain guards, alongside full scholarships up to university level for their surviving children, a move widely seen as both compassionate and strategic in sustaining morale within frontline security services.

Makinde, who spoke through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the government would also rehabilitate the Oloka–Ikoyi-Ile road under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project to improve mobility and economic activity in the area.

Beyond immediate relief, the governor outlined a broader development and security intervention for the community, including improved telecommunication services through the installation of network masts, provision of boreholes and deployment of solar-powered streetlights. He stressed that the state would sustain joint security operations to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.

Expressing sympathy with the bereaved families and residents, Makinde assured them that his administration would further strengthen the state’s security architecture, noting that security remained a shared responsibility between government and citizens. He urged residents to promptly relay credible information to security agencies when suspicious activities are observed.

In a decisive signal of intent, the governor disclosed plans to formally request the establishment of a military base in Oloka, subject to approval by military authorities in Abuja, to reinforce security around the park and neighbouring communities.

He commended service commanders for their commitment, pledging that government would address operational challenges, particularly communication gaps, confronting security personnel in the area.

“For those who perpetrated this act, they will feel the full presence of the state’s fortified security going forward,” Makinde said, adding that representatives of the affected families should present themselves to the government for the disbursement process.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, retired Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, confirmed that three key suspects linked to the killing of the five forest guards had been arrested and were undergoing interrogation, assuring residents that criminal elements would not be allowed breathing space in the state.

The visit ended with a minute of silence in honour of the deceased, as the governor was joined by senior government officials, service commanders, traditional rulers and community leaders, underscoring a collective resolve to confront insecurity while honouring the sacrifices of fallen officers.