No fewer than nine people were killed in separate attacks by suspected bandits and herdsmen across Oyo and Benue states within the last 24 hours, heightening fresh concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country.
The incidents came as police operatives in Kaduna State foiled a planned attack and attempted kidnapping in Kasuwan Magani, rescuing 76 children and arresting three suspects.
In Oyo State, four personnel of the National Park Service (NPS) were killed on Tuesday night after heavily armed gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the National Park facility in Oriire Local Government Area. Several other officers were injured during the attack.
Sources said the assailants struck under the cover of darkness, infiltrating the area unnoticed before launching a coordinated assault that caught the park officials unawares. The incident triggered panic among residents of nearby communities, many of whom now fear further attacks.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, said unidentified gunmen attacked officers of the National Park Service. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, had ordered the immediate deployment of tactical teams, Mobile Police operatives and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
In a related development, five farmers were killed on Tuesday evening when suspected armed herders attacked Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State.
The attack occurred around 4 p.m. while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts, disrupting farming activities in the border community and raising fears over food security in the area.
Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing. He said the attackers lingered in the community after the assault, further heightening tension among residents.
Yarkwan noted that Kwande’s difficult border terrain has continued to expose communities to repeated attacks, especially during the harvest season, forcing many farmers to abandon their fields.
A former supervisory councillor in the area, Lawrence Akerigba, said residents had been under sustained pressure from armed herders, alleging repeated shootings, destruction of crops and homes, and restricted access to water sources. He confirmed the identities of three victims, adding that others were still missing as search efforts continued.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, police operatives successfully thwarted a planned attack and kidnapping in Kasuwan Magani on January 5, 2026, following credible intelligence.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, police engaged the suspects and repelled them before any harm could be done. During the operation, 76 children between the ages of seven and 20 were rescued unharmed, while three suspects were arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly transporting the children to different parts of the country for child labour and other domestic work. The suspects are currently in custody, while the rescued children are being cared for pending identification by their parents or guardians.
