At least 12 forest guards were killed when armed men launched a deadly attack in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
According to security sources, the guards were on routine patrol of the forest reserve when the gunmen ambushed them. Four guards managed to survive the assault, but the attackers fled before reinforcements arrived.
The motive behind the killings remains unclear, though authorities suspect the involvement of criminal gangs engaged in illegal logging and other illicit activities in the forests.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condemned the killings, describing the incident as “a barbaric act that will not go unpunished.” He pledged stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities to curb insecurity in the state.
This latest attack adds to growing security concerns across Nigeria, where armed groups continue to carry out violent assaults on both civilians and government officials.
