- Police confirm discovery of bandits’ threat letter in Ikoyi-Ile
- Warning note fixes January 20, 2026, as attack date
- Community gripped by fear after recent deadly park attack
- Oyo Police launch full investigation, urge calm
Residents of Ikoyi-Ile, a town in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been thrown into fear after the discovery of alleged bandits’ warning letters threatening an attack on the community.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed on Saturday that security agencies are investigating the origin and intention behind the letters, which reportedly surfaced at different locations in the town.
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According to findings, two separate notes were dropped at the front and back of a building in Ikoyi-Ile. One of the notes, handwritten in Yoruba and titled “Lati Odo Bandit,” warned residents to expect an attack on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The note read in part: “Lati Odo Bandit, a o wa ni January 20th, 2026… E duro de wa ati pe ki e mu ra fun wa le.”
A second note, written in English, also carried a threat, claiming the attackers were acting on orders and instructing residents to “wait for us.”
Although the authenticity of the notes has not been officially established, their discovery has caused panic among residents, especially given that Ikoyi-Ile falls within the same local government where five forest guards were recently killed near the Old Oyo National Park.
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Reacting to the situation, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the individual who found the letters is currently being questioned.
He said in a statement: “The individual who allegedly discovered the notes is presently undergoing debriefing, and the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and intent of the messages.”
Ayanlade added that security agencies are actively monitoring the area and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement.
The development comes days after bandits carried out a deadly attack in the national park area, prompting Governor Seyi Makinde to assure residents that security operatives are working to prevent further violence.
