Nigerian Army recovers AK-47 and finds suspect's body in Old Oyo National Park

Nigerian Army troops have recovered an AK-47 rifle and discovered the body of a suspected criminal during security operations in the Old Oyo National Park. The engagement took place over two days, from November 7 to November 8, 2026, involving soldiers from Operation IGBO DANU II, which falls under the command of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army. The operation was conducted in collaboration with hybrid forces aimed at disrupting criminal activities within the forested area.

According to an operational report released by the military, troops engaged suspected criminals on November 7 while conducting operations within the park. The suspects fled upon sighting the advancing soldiers. Following their escape, the military recovered an AK-47 rifle bearing the registration number 14907, one empty magazine, and a Dane gun from the scene. The Army stated that these recoveries served to degrade the operational capabilities of the fleeing elements.

Background

The discovery of the suspect’s body occurred during a follow-up operation on November 8, 2026. During this subsequent search, troops located the corpse of one of the individuals who had fled on the previous day, confirming that one criminal element had been neutralised. In the same operation, soldiers demolished temporary structures and shelters that were believed to have been used as hideouts by the criminal group. The military indicated that the destruction of these shelters was intended to deny the suspects safe havens within the forested terrain.

Operation IGBO DANU II is a counter-criminal initiative designed to flush out armed groups and prevent them from using forested areas as sanctuaries. This operation follows the launch of the broader Operation IGBO DANU, also referred to as Operation Forest Flush, which began in January 2026. That earlier phase specifically targeted bandit enclaves in Kwara State. The current operations in the Old Oyo National Park are part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security across the 2 Division Area of Responsibility.

Why it matters

The recovery of firearms, including the registered AK-47, and the neutralisation of a suspect represent a direct impact on the operational capacity of criminal networks in the region. The military emphasised that dismantling these networks and destroying their bases is crucial for restoring security in the area. By removing safe havens, the Army aims to prevent criminal groups from regrouping and continuing their activities. The involvement of hybrid forces underscores a collaborative approach to addressing the security challenges posed by armed groups in the forested zones of the 2 Division.

What happens next

The Nigerian Army stated that exploitation of the general area was ongoing as of the report's release. Troops continued to comb the area to track down any remaining fleeing suspects and to prevent them from regrouping. The military expressed its commitment to sustaining these operations in collaboration with other security stakeholders to dismantle criminal networks and deny them operational bases. No further encounters with suspected bandits were recorded during the follow-up search on November 8, but the military indicated that efforts to secure the zone would continue.