Tension and fear have gripped Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after residents discovered handwritten threat notes believed to have been left by suspected bandits, warning of a planned attack on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
The threatening messages, reportedly found at the front and rear of a building in the town, have sparked widespread alarm among locals, many of whom have taken precautionary measures and reduced movement within the community.
One note, written in Yoruba and headed “Lati Odo Bandit” (“From the Bandits”), warned that the group would arrive on January 20, 2026, urging residents to prepare for their arrival and comply with unspecified demands. A second note in English suggested that the writers had been “working” for three days and claimed that residents of Ikoyi-Ile were responsible for sending them.
The Oyo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the individual who allegedly found the notes is being debriefed and that a comprehensive investigation has commenced to determine the origin, authenticity, and intent of the messages.
In a statement, the police said Commissioner of Police Femi Haruna had activated the command’s intelligence, tactical and operational response mechanisms in the area, deploying strategic patrols, stop-and-search operations, and heightened surveillance to curb any potential threat.
“…the Command has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and intent of the said note,” Ayanlade said, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies while assuring that every lead would be pursued.
The security alert comes amid recent violence in the same local government area. Barely days before the threat notes were found, suspected bandits reportedly attacked Oloka village near the Old Oyo National Park, killing five National Park Service personnel, a development that has already heightened fear among communities in the region.
Community leaders and local vigilante groups have appealed to the state government and security agencies to intensify patrols and improve intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks.
While the authenticity of the handwritten notes and any genuine connection to organised bandit groups have not been independently verified, their presence has significantly disrupted normal life in Ikoyi-Ile, with residents remaining alert and security forces maintaining a visible presence.
Authorities have encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station as investigations proceed and security operations are sustained across the affected areas.
