Barely days after a fatal attack near Old Oyo National Park, fresh threats allegedly linked to bandits have emerged in Ikoyi-Ile, a town in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, triggering fear over a possible attack.
The development comes shortly after a violent incident at Old Oyo National Park, Oloka village, where gunmen reportedly killed five people last Tuesday, heightening tension across the local government area.
Residents disclosed that fear intensified after warnings allegedly from bandits surfaced in the town, indicating that another attack could take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
According to local sources, the threats were conveyed through two handwritten notes found at the front and back of a building within the community.
One of the notes, written in Yoruba and titled “Lati Odo Bandit” (From the Bandits), reads, “A o wa ni January 20th, 2026. E duro de wa ati pe ki e mu ra fun wa le. A wa lati wa fun yin ni ibanuje ni orilede yin. Ni Ikoyi-Ile, Ile Oyo State. E mu ra le fun wa”.
When translated, the message warns residents to prepare for harm and implies that compliance with the bandits’ demands is expected.
A second note, written in English, reads, “Bandit information. See, now, Three days we work for you. We said you in Ikoyi-Ile are the government that sent us. Wait for us”.
The messages allegedly warned residents of an impending attack and accused the community of collaborating with authorities. While the authenticity of the notes has yet to be confirmed, their appearance has triggered widespread panic.
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed awareness of the development. Its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Command had not received a formal report prior to media inquiries but had commenced investigations immediately.
“We haven’t received such a letter formally, but investigations have been launched immediately and it was brought to our attention”, Ayanlade said.
He added that the individual who allegedly discovered the notes is currently undergoing debriefing, while efforts are ongoing to determine the source and intent of the messages.
Meanwhile, community leaders and local vigilante groups in Ikoyi-Ile have appealed to the state government and security agencies to intensify patrols and strengthen intelligence gathering to prevent a repeat of last week’s deadly attack.
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