Communities in Igbeti and Igboho in Olorunsogo and Orelope Local Government Areas of Oyo State have raised alarm over bandits and kidnappers’ turning the Old Oyo National Park into hideouts.

The people stated this when the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola and some senior officers of the command visited Igbeti, Kishi and Saki communities of Oyo State on Friday.

The Chairman of Olorunsogo LGA, Qoseem Olayanju, said the residents in the local government were experiencing security challenges due to the presence of the park.

Olayanju stated that Igbeti had been relatively peaceful in the past, but now experiencing security challenges due to the presence of bandits and kidnappers in the Park.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the police and other security agencies, but urged them to do more by deploying drones and other sophisticated equipment in the park to flush out the crimals.

Also speaking, the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, pledged his support to the police and other security agencies to ensure peace in Igbeti community.

Abioye also solicited for deployment of more security personnel, adding that he proritised security and believed in proactive measures rather than reactive.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Igboho, Joel Olalere, said that presence of the Old Oyo National Park posed danger to the community, stressing that many of the bandits and kidnappers hide in the forest reserves to commit their atrocities.

Lawrence further commended the existing synergy between the police and sister security agencies in Olorunsogo and Orelope LGAs and called for deployment of drones in the park to flush out the bandits for peace to reign.