The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has visited troops deployed around the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State, urging them to sustain their operations against bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.
Major General Mahmuda gave the directive on Wednesday during a visit to the Forward Operating Base in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Danjuma, the GOC urged the troops to maintain the operational tempo and effectively dominate the area.
Major General Mahmuda said the troops must ensure that the Old Oyo National Park and its surrounding areas were cleared of criminal elements.
He urged them to deny bandits and other criminals freedom of action within the area.
“I want you to sustain operational tempo against criminal elements. Ensure you clear the OONP and its environs of bandits, terrorists, other criminal elements, and effectively dominate the area by denying criminal elements freedom of action,” he said.
The GOC said he had been closely monitoring developments in the park and commended the troops for their efforts and achievements.
Army chief praises troops’ resilience
Major General Mahmuda said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, was pleased with the resilience of the troops and urged them to redouble their efforts.
He also commended other security agencies and local vigilantes supporting military operations in the area.
According to him, the collaboration among security stakeholders had demonstrated effective operational synergy in tackling criminal activities around the park.
Troops brief GOC on operations
Major General Mahmuda was received at the Forward Operating Base by the Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Emmanuel Azenda, and the Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, Oyo, Brigadier General Austin Obochi.
The GOC was subsequently briefed on the operational situation by the Commanding Officer, 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, Colonel Godwin Akuve, and the Operations Officer, Major Osaigbovo Ero.
The Old Oyo National Park has remained a major focus of security operations following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area in May 2026.
The victims were held in the forest for 56 days before they were rescued in July in an operation led by the Nigerian Army and supported by other security agencies.
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