OPC Arrests 3 Suspected Kidnappers In Old Oyo National Park

Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC) have arrested three suspected kidnappers at the old Oyo National Park.

The suspects were were said to be a gang of criminals allegedly terrorising innocent people at the park.

The old National Park which stretches across 10 local government areas in Oyo State and one local government area in Kwara, has been under a series of attacks.

In 2025, some forest guards were killed in the park following an attack by suspected criminals.

Subsequently, 39 students and seven teachers were kidnapped in some communities in Oriire local government area of the state in May this year.

The kidnapped victims were allegedly held hostage by the kidnappers within the park.

OPC Coordinator in Eseke village, Oriire Local Government Area, Kehinde Zaccheus revealed the latest development to newsmen on Tuesday.

Zaccheus explained that the suspects were picked up at different times by the OPC patrol team.

According to him, one suspect was picked up at Eseke village in Oriire local government area while others were picked up in Igbeti in Olorunsogo local government area.

He added that the suspects have been handed over to the police for further investigation.

“The suspects specifically were picked up at different times by a patrol team of the organisation at Eseke in Oriire local government area (one suspect) and at Igbeti, Olorunsogo local government area (two), and the suspects were reportedly in possession of sophisticated rifles.

“Upon arrest, the suspects were handed over to the police at Ikoyi-Ile and Igbeti, respectively, for further investigation”, he said.