Panic has spread through Ikoyi-Ile town in Oyo State following the discovery of chilling handwritten notes, allegedly from bandits, threatening to attack the community on a specific date. This alarming development comes less than a week after a deadly assault in the same local government area, heightening fears among local residents.
Explicit Threats and a Recent History of Violence
The community of Ikoyi-Ile, situated within the Oriire Local Government Area, is on edge. The threat emerges directly after a violent incident at Old Oyo National Park, Oloka village, where gunmen reportedly killed five people on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Residents now report receiving direct warnings pointing to another attack scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The threats were delivered via two notes found at the front and back of a building in the town.
The Chilling Content of the Notes
One note, written in Yoruba and boldly titled "Lati Odo Bandit" (From the Bandits), contained a direct message. It stated: "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."
This translates as a warning for residents to prepare for harm and implies they should comply with the bandits' demands. A second note, written in English, read: "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."
While the authenticity of the notes is still under investigation, their impact is undeniable. The messages have instilled palpable terror, causing people to remain indoors and fortify their homes and businesses against potential violence.
Police Response and Broader Security Concerns
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed it is aware of the situation. The Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayanlade Olayinka, clarified that while no formal report was filed before media inquiries, an investigation began immediately.
"We haven't received such a letter formally, but investigations have been launched immediately and it was brought to our attention," Ayanlade stated. "The individual who allegedly discovered the note is currently undergoing debriefing, while the Command has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and intent of the note."
Security analysts highlight that Oriire Local Government Area is becoming a growing hotspot for violent crime. The area, which includes both Ikoyi-Ile and the vast Old Oyo National Park, has seen increasing insecurity, raising serious concerns for the safety of rural communities.
In response to the crisis, local leaders and vigilante groups in Ikoyi-Ile are urgently calling on the government and security agencies to:
- Increase patrols in and around the community.
- Provide timely intelligence support.
- Take decisive action to prevent a repeat of the previous week's fatal attack.
The coming days leading to the stated date of January 20 will be a critical test for security forces and a period of intense anxiety for the residents of Ikoyi-Ile.
