Concern has gripped Ikoyi-Ile city in Oyo State following stories that suspected bandits have threatened to assault the neighborhood, sparking nervousness simply days after a lethal incident in the identical native authorities space.
Ikoyi-Ile, positioned in Oriire Native Authorities Space, comes on the heels of a violent assault at Previous Oyo Nationwide Park, Oloka village, the place gunmen allegedly killed 5 individuals final Tuesday.
Residents disclosed that they’ve now acquired warnings from suspected bandits indicating that one other assault might happen on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Based on native sources, the threats have been conveyed by way of two handwritten notes found at the back and front of a constructing within the city.
One of many notes, written in Yoruba and titled “Lati Odo Bandit” (From the Bandits), reads: “A o wa ni January twentieth, 2026. E duro de wa ati pe ki e mu ra enjoyable wa le. A wa lati wa enjoyable yin ni ibanuje ni orilede yin. Ni Ikoyi-Ile, Ile Oyo State. E mu ra le enjoyable wa.”
Translated, the message warns residents to organize for hurt and suggests compliance with the bandits’ calls for.
A second observe, written in English, reads: “Bandit data. See, now, Three days we be just right for you. We stated you in Ikoyi-Ile are the federal government that despatched us. Await us.”
Though it stays unclear whether or not the notes have been genuinely written by bandits or are a part of a hoax, the messages have generated palpable concern in the neighborhood.
Residents reported staying indoors and reinforcing safety measures at houses and companies in anticipation of attainable violence.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed consciousness of the event, although its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayanlade Olayinka, stated no formal report had been acquired earlier than media inquiries.
“We haven’t acquired such a letter formally, however investigations have been launched instantly and it was delivered to our consideration,” Ayanlade stated.
“The person who allegedly found the observe is at present present process debriefing, whereas the Command has launched a full-scale investigation to find out the origin and intent of the observe. We recognize members of the general public for his or her continued cooperation.”
Safety analysts observe that Oriire Native Authorities Space, which hosts each Ikoyi-Ile and Previous Oyo Nationwide Park, has more and more develop into a hotspot for violent crimes in current months, elevating issues over the security of residents in surrounding rural communities.
In the meantime, native leaders and vigilante teams in Ikoyi-Ile have appealed to the federal government and safety companies to accentuate patrols and supply well timed intelligence help to forestall a repeat of final week’s lethal assault.
