Abubakar Abdullahi, one of seven suspects arrested by the Oyo State Police Command, has provided details about the attack on five forest rangers at the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, Oyo State.
He revealed that he was recruited by Mohammed Dangi, the gang’s second-in-command, to carry out the deadly operation aimed at rescuing three Fulani herders previously arrested.
Despite his small stature and youthful appearance, Abdullahi is skilled in handling firearms, including AK-47 rifles.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, around 9 p.m., at the National Forest Rangers’ office in Oloka Village, Ikoyi Ile, Oriire Local Government Area. Ten armed men, equipped with high-powered guns, stormed the office, killing all five rangers. One ranger was reportedly burned beyond recognition. The assailants also stole two FNC rifles and three motorcycles while setting two others ablaze.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the arrests, stating that intelligence-led operations by the Monitoring Unit, led by CSP Ayodeji Adepetu, resulted in the apprehension of three suspects initially, followed by four more, making a total of seven. The arrested suspects include Mohammed Dangi, Abubakar Abdullahi, Sheu Usman, Toro Malami, Usman Alhaji Umaru, Laolo Muhammadu, and Usman Alhaji Isah.
Abubakar, a Fulani man from Yahuri in Kebbi State and resident of B’Olorunduro, Ogbomoso, admitted he combined his herding work with involvement in kidnappings. He explained that the operation targeted the park office to free three detained herders and eliminate the forest rangers.
“We were instructed to kill anyone at the park office and then release our people,” Abdullahi said. “I joined the gang on the day of the operation. We were ten in total, armed with five AK-47 rifles and explosives, and used five motorcycles to reach the office unnoticed.”
He identified a gang leader named Bello, currently at large, who gave orders through Mohammed Dangi. Bello provided the weapons but did not participate in the attack directly.
Abubakar also revealed that, despite repeated participation in kidnappings, his share of ransom per operation was only N10,000. A security source added that gang members are often heavily exploited by their leaders, being forced to surrender goods or accept meager compensation under threat of violence.
The suspect confirmed that his training on the AK-47 was provided by Mohammed Dangi. Decisions regarding the killing of kidnapped victims who could not pay ransom were made by the gang leaders, not him personally.
DSP Ayanlade stated that police and other security agencies are intensifying efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and ensure justice is served.
