The Nigerian Army has taken over the entire stretch of the Old Oyo National Park in Oyo State and converted it into a training ground following the abduction of more than 40 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The move, according to the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Auwalu Mahmuda, is aimed at preventing kidnappers and other criminals from returning to the vast forest area, which had been used as a hideout.

Mahmuda disclosed this on Wednesday when he received members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, at the division’s headquarters in Odogbo, Akinyele Local Government Area.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shuaibu, directed the 2 Division to begin using the park as a training site after the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnap victims.

“The order came after the rescue of the victims of the Oriire kidnap. By taking it over, the park has become a no-go area for kidnappers and other men of the underworld using the large forest as a base for their nefarious activities.

“On the order of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen 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 a repeat of the Oriire kidnap saga.

“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,” Mahmuda said.

More than 40 pupils and their teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area.

The victims spent 56 days in captivity before joint security operatives rescued them on July 10.

The GOC also urged the media to strengthen its collaboration with security agencies, particularly in verifying information before publication, warning that misinformation could worsen security situations.

He said the Army regarded journalists as partners in the fight against insecurity and appealed for closer cooperation to keep the public informed about ongoing security operations.