At least five suspected terrorists have been arrested following the attack on a military camp on the outskirts of Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The arrests were disclosed on Monday by the Oyo State Government during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the attack by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, barely 24 hours after the incident.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who accompanied the Deputy Governor, said the suspects were arrested in military uniforms, while more arrests were expected as security operatives intensified efforts to track down the fleeing attackers.
During the assessment, the Commanding Officer of the 81 Battalion, Lt. Col. Innocent Asogwa, disclosed that no fewer than 120 soldiers had been deployed into the bush to trail the terrorists.
The military commander also explained that the fire which destroyed part of the building and a vehicle during the attack was caused by grenade launchers used by the terrorists, which escalated the cooking gas cylinders at the premises.
Speaking during the visit, Lawal assured residents that the state government would not abandon them, saying Governor Seyi Makinde’s message to the people was: “You will never be abandoned.”
The Deputy Governor also clarified concerns over the state’s newly procured surveillance aircraft, explaining that the aircraft conducts random sorties and exercises and therefore cannot remain permanently in the sky.
He, however, assured that the aircraft would remain available for security operations and reconnaissance whenever required.
Lawal, who visited the scene alongside some local government chairmen and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, said the state government had established an emergency committee comprising the five adjoining local government areas of Olorunsogo, Oriire, Saki East, Orelope and Irepo.
According to him, the committee would immediately identify and provide the needs of security personnel operating in the affected areas while liaising with the state government to ensure prompt assistance.
“As a responsible government, we will continue to play our part in ensuring that our people are safe,” the Deputy Governor said.
He expressed relief that there were no reported casualties in the attack, while commending the security agencies for their efforts.
Also in the Deputy Governor’s entourage were the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Prof. Saliu Adelabu, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya.
