The Nigerian Army has made a bold move in Oyo State as troops have taken over an entire national park for security purposes.
This decision comes after the Oriire kidnap saga shook communities as well as the pupils, children, and teachers who were abducted before later being rescued.
This Old Oyo National Park military takeover was announced by Major-General Auwalu Mahmuda, who shared the update during a meeting with local journalists.
He explained that the Chief of Army Staff ordered the move directly; the goal is to stop kidnappers from using the park as a hideout.
“On the order of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shuaibu, the 2 Division has taken over the entire stretch of the Old Oyo National Park as a training site in order to prevent the repeat of the Oriire kidnap saga,” he said.
He believes this move will make life harder for criminals.
According to him, the park will no longer serve as a safe base for attacks.
“With the 2 Division fully utilising the park, it will be a herculean task for men of the underworld to use it as their hideout,” he said.
This Old Oyo National Park military takeover also comes with a message for journalists as he urged reporters to verify information before publishing security-related news.
He warned that false reports could cause more harm than good.
According to him, unverified stories can worsen already tense situations.
“I will appeal to you to avoid publishing information without first confirming its exact and true nature with the military. Sometimes, when unverified information is released, it can cause more harm than the information it intended to address,” he said.
He described journalists as important partners to the military; still, he said that partnership requires responsibility on both sides.
“I want to reassure you that the Nigerian Army sees journalists as partners, but they are also expected to play their part in demonstrating clearly that they are partners of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Mahmuda praised journalists for the risks they take while reporting; he acknowledged their courage in covering dangerous and sensitive situations.
“I have seen journalists go to places where other civilians dare not set their foot. They put themselves in difficult and dangerous situations simply to obtain accurate information that can be shared with the public,” he said.
He promised continued support for the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel, including assistance with training and medical outreach during their upcoming Press Week.
Chapel chairman Yinka Adeniran praised the army’s rescue efforts in Oriire; he called the operation proof of the military’s commitment to protecting residents.
