Police Launch Investigation After Suspected Bandits Drop Threat Notes in Oyo Town

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the discovery of suspected bandits’ threat notes in Ikoyi-Ile, Oriire Local Government Area of the state, assuring residents that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the origin and intent of the messages.

The confirmation followed growing tension and fear in the community after reports emerged that suspected bandits had allegedly issued warnings of an impending attack on the town.

Ikoyi-Ile is one of the communities in Oriire Local Government Area, the same council where five forest guards were recently killed near the Old Oyo National Park, a development that has continued to raise security concerns among residents.

According to information gathered, two separate threat notes, allegedly written by suspected bandits, were dropped at the front and back of a building in the town. The messages reportedly warned residents of a planned attack scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

One of the notes, handwritten in Yoruba without any address or signature, was reportedly titled “Lati Odo Bandit,” and warned residents to prepare for the attackers’ arrival while threatening violence in the community.

The second note, written in English, allegedly read: “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 alleged link to bandits are yet to be established, the warnings have reportedly triggered widespread fear and anxiety among residents of Ikoyi-Ile.

Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the person who discovered the notes is currently being debriefed by the police.

He said the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation to uncover the source and motive behind the messages.

“The individual who allegedly discovered the said notes is currently undergoing debriefing, while the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation to determine the origin and intent of the note,” Ayanlade said.

He added that the police appreciate the cooperation of residents and urged members of the public to remain calm while security agencies continue to handle the situation.