Troops of the Nigerian Army have recovered an AK-47 rifle and other weapons during an operation against suspected criminals in the Old Oyo National Park. The operation also led to the destruction of temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts by criminal groups.
The operation was conducted on November 7 and 8 by troops of Operation IGBO DANU II under the Army’s 2 Division, in collaboration with hybrid forces. The military said the mission was aimed at flushing out armed groups and denying them safe havens in forested areas.
According to a statement published on the Army’s official website on Monday, troops encountered suspected criminals in the park on November 7. The suspects reportedly fled after sighting the advancing soldiers, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun.
During a follow-up operation the next day, troops discovered the corpse of one of the fleeing suspects, confirming the neutralisation of one criminal, according to the Army. They also destroyed temporary shelters believed to have supported criminal activities in the forest.
The Army said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and prevent armed groups from using forested areas as hideouts. It added that troops were still searching the area to track fleeing suspects and prevent them from regrouping.
The operation comes months after the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. The victims were reportedly taken into the national park and were rescued on July 10, after 56 days in captivity, through an intelligence-led operation involving security agencies.
In October, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, announced that the Army had taken over the entire park as a military training site to prevent criminals from using it as a hideout.
