Abubakar Abdullahi, one of the seven suspects arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in connection with the killing of five forest rangers at the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, has disclosed the reason for the deadly attack.
Thefrontrank reports that 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, numbering 10 and armed with sophisticated firearms, invaded the Old Oyo National Park office at about 9.00pm, killed the rangers, burnt one of the forest rangers beyond recognition and went away with two FNC rifles and three motorcycles, while two other motorcycles were set ablaze.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, while confirming the arrest of the suspects, disclosed that they were apprehended by the Monitoring Unit of the command, led by its commander, CSP Ayodeji Adepewhile.
In an interview with newsmen, Abdullahi disclosed that he was invited by one Mohammed Dangi, whom he described as the second-in-command of the bandit gang.
The suspect explained the aimed for his participation in the deadly operation was to free three Fulani herders earlier arrested by the forest rangers.
Abdullahi, 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.
On the attack on the forest rangers, Abdullahi 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.
“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 named, 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, recalling his participation in kidnappings in Oloka Village and Bode Saadu,
“Whenever I was called for a kidnap operation, I always went,” he added.
Abdullahi, swore by Allah, disclosed that his share of ransom from each kidnapping operation was always N10,000, claiming that he had never received more than that amount.
On how he became skilled in handling an AK-47 rifle, Abubakar said: “I was trained by Mohammed Dangi. I know how to use the rifle very well.”
Speaking on whether the gang killed kidnap victims whose families could not afford ransom, he said it was the leader who made such decision.
The suspects are Mohammed Dangi, said to be the gang’s coordinator; Abubakar Abdullahi, Sheu Usman, Toro Malami, Usman Alhaji Umaru, Laolo Muhammadu and Usman Alhaji Isah.
