Residents of Ikoyi-Ile, the headquarters of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State, have been thrown into fear following reports that bandits have issued a threat to commence attacks in the area from January 20.
The tension has also spread to communities on the outskirts of Ogbomoso, particularly along the Ikoyi axis, where locals have raised concerns over the presence of unfamiliar individuals allegedly holding nocturnal meetings.
One of the affected locations identified is the Omo-o-Jeun area, situated towards Ikoyi-Ile.
“It is true, there was a gathering of people we were sure were of Fulani stock at a junction in our area behind Omo-o-Jeun Hotel on Wednesday/Thursday night,” a resident who however pleaded to remain anonymous said.
“It is unambiguous, people sighted them, residents later met in the day and we reported at the office of Amotekun Corps, where it was disclosed, they had received similar reports from other communities.
“They however complained hey were ill-equipped for such emergency in terms of men, and equipment and that they didn’t even know how to deploy their men in the face of the intelligence reports coming in. They therefore advised us to alert other agencies.”
Confirmation of the report was later obtained from the Amotekun Corps office in the city.
The growing anxiety follows a recent deadly incident on Tuesday, January 6, when suspected bandits attacked the office of the Nigeria Park Service at Oloka, near Ikoyi-Ile, killing five officers on the spot.
The attack has further heightened security concerns in the area, although the Oyo State Commissioner of Police has reassured residents that security agencies are fully addressing the situation.
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