The Nigerian Army has announced that the Old Oyo National Park has been taken over and repurposed as a military training centre following the abduction and rescue of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Major-General Auwalu Mahmuda, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, disclosed this during a meeting with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Ibadan.
He explained that the directive came from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shuaibu, to ensure criminals no longer exploit the vast forest as a hideout.
Mahmuda said: “By taking it over, the park has become a no-go area for kidnappers and other men of the underworld. With the 2 Division fully utilising the park, it will be a herculean task for criminals to use it as a base for their activities.”
The move follows the May 15, 2026, abduction of pupils and teachers during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire.
The victims were rescued after 56 days in captivity by joint security forces on July 10, 2026.Beyond security operations, Mahmuda urged stronger collaboration between the military and the media to combat misinformation.
He warned that unverified reports could cause serious harm, stressing that journalists should confirm details with the Army before publishing.
He commended the Correspondents’ Chapel for highlighting the division’s contributions to national security and pledged support for its upcoming Press Week, including training and medical outreach.
Chairman of the Chapel, Yinka Adeniran, praised the Army’s role in rescuing the Oriire victims and appealed for continued partnership in public enlightenment efforts.
