Tension gripped Ikoyi-Ile community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Saturday as the police confirmed the discovery of alleged bandits’ threat notes, triggering fear of an impending attack.
The Oyo State Police Command said it has launched an investigation to ascertain the source and intent of the warning messages, which reportedly threatened an attack on the town.
Ikoyi-Ile, one of the communities in Oriire Local Government Area, has been on edge following the incident, especially as the council recently recorded the killing of five forest guards near the Old Oyo National Park.
Findings revealed that two different threat notes, allegedly written by suspected bandits, were dropped at the front and back of a building in the community.
The notes reportedly warned residents of a planned attack scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
One of the notes, handwritten in Yoruba and without any address or signature, was titled “Lati Odo Bandit.” It allegedly warned residents to prepare for the attackers’ arrival, threatening hardship and violence.
The second note, written in English, read in part: “Bandit information. See, now, three days we work for you. We said you in Ikoyi-Ile is the government that sent us. Wait for us.”
Although the authenticity of the notes and their link to bandit groups are yet to be confirmed, the messages have sparked widespread panic and anxiety among residents.
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the individual who discovered the notes is currently being debriefed.
He said the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation to uncover the origin and motive behind the threat notes.
“The individual who allegedly discovered the said notes is undergoing debriefing, while the Command has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and intent of the note,” Ayanlade said.
The police spokesperson urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, assuring that adequate measures are being taken to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.
