CONFESSION OF A SUSPECTED BANDIT: WE WENT TO KILL FOREST RANGERS IN OYO TO RESCUE THREE FULANI HERDERS THEY ARRESTED — Suspect

A look at the suspect’s petite figure, tiny face and youthful appearance could easily make him pass for an innocent boy who would not hurt a fly. Beneath that exterior, however, is a young man proficient in handling AK-47 rifles, shooting with precision and confidence.

The five forest rangers were killed on Tuesday, January 6 2026, at the National Forest Rangers’ office in Oloka Village, Ikoyi Ile, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The attackers, said to be about 10 in number and armed with sophisticated firearms, reportedly invaded the Old Oyo National Park office at about 9pm and launched a deadly assault on the rangers.

Not satisfied with the killing of the five forest rangers, one of whom was burnt beyond recognition, the assailants also went away with two FNC rifles and three motorcycles, while two other motorcycles were set ablaze.

Confirming the arrest of the suspects in a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that following the attack, the Monitoring Unit of the command, led by its commander, CSP Ayodeji Adepetu, was directed by the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, to take over the investigation.

According to him, intelligence-driven operations led to the initial arrest of three suspects, followed by four others, bringing the total number arrested to seven.

The suspects include Mohammed Dangi, said to be the gang’s coordinator; Abubakar Abdullahi, Sheu Usman, Toro Malami, Usman Alhaji Umaru, Laolo Muhammadu and Usman Alhaji Isah.

Speaking in an interview, Abubakar, a Fulani man who claimed Yahuri in Kebbi State as his place of origin but said he resides in B’Olorunduro, Ogbomoso, stated that he was a herder who also engaged in kidnapping alongside other members of the gang.

“I don’t know how long I have been in B’Olorunduro. I herded cows from Bode Saadu in Kwara State down there,” he said.

Explaining what led to the attack on the forest rangers and how the operation was carried out, Abubakar disclosed: “It was Mohammed Dangi who invited me. He instructed me and others to kill all the people we saw at the park office. The reason he gave was that three Fulani herders had been arrested. He told us to set our three men free after killing the forest rangers. After killing those rangers, we released our people and took them away.”

“I did not know when the idea was first discussed, but I joined the gang on the day we went to carry out the attack.”

On how the gang gained access to the park office, which is surrounded by thick bush, without being detected before striking, he said: “We were 10 in number. We went with five motorcycles and five AK-47 rifles. Two of us rode each motorcycle. We also carried explosives. We parked the motorcycles far away and quietly trekked to the park office.”

He identified one Bello, currently at large, as the leader of the gang, stating that Mohammed served as the executor of Bello’s directives.

“Bello and I once lived together in Bode Saadu, but I don’t know where he is now. He only gave instructions to Mohammed and did not come with us to Oloka Village. He was the one who gave Mohammed the AK-47 rifles we used. Bello usually joined us during kidnap operations,” he said.

On how long he had been involved in kidnapping, Abubakar said he could not remember, noting that he had been doing it for a long time. He recalled participating in kidnappings in Oloka Village and Bode Saadu, adding: “Whenever I was called for a kidnap operation, I always went.”

Despite his involvement in what the gang considered a means of livelihood, Abubakar said his share of ransom from kidnapping operations was always N10,000. When pressed to speak the truth, he swore by Allah that he had never received more than that amount.

A security source corroborated his claim, explaining that members of kidnap gangs, bandits and terrorist groups are often subjected to extreme exploitation by their leaders.

“From our experience during investigations, we have learned that even when they rustle cattle, they may give one cow to five people and still compel them to sell it back to the leader at a ridiculously low price, sometimes not more than N40,000. They dare not protest or ask questions, except they want to die. The leader also does not pay cash; instead, he tells them to collect goods and direct traders to him for payment. That is the kind of slavery they gullibly submit themselves to,” the source said.

Asked how he became skilled in handling an AK-47 rifle despite his small stature, Abubakar said, smiling: “I was trained by Mohammed Dangi. I know how to use the rifle very well.”

On whether the gang killed kidnap victims whose families could not afford ransom, he said it was the leaders who made such decisions.

“It is not my wish to kidnap people, but Mohammed is my relative. I grew up with him, and he made me join the gang,” he added.

DSP Ayanlade stated that operatives of the Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to track down the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.