Recent deadly attacks in Oyo, Ogun States and some other parts of the South West by suspected terrorists have triggered tension in parts of the region.
DAILY POST reports that there have been a series of coordinated attacks on unsuspecting residents of the region, fueling speculation that the insurgents causing mayhem in the North East may have infiltrated Yorubaland.
Several unprovoked attacks, resulting in killings and abductions, have been recorded in the region recently.
On April 18, 3026, heavily-armed men suspected to be terrorists invaded a church during an open-air crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
Also, on May 12, 2026, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the abduction of three members of a family by suspected terrorists at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, in Ijebu Ode.
A few days after the Ogun incident, Police and Vigilante operatives disrupted an alleged N10 million ransom collection operation by a suspected kidnapping gang in Otefon Village Forest, Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Earlier, a schoolgirl was reportedly kidnapped at Challenge area of Ibadan while a retired teacher was killed on his farm in Ago Area, Oke ogun, Oyo State.
Oyo school abduction
More worrisome was the recent attack on three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where the assailants gruesomely murdered at least two persons and abducted over 30 students and teachers.
DAILY POST reports that terrorists on motorbikes, on May 15, attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School all in Oriire local government area of Oyo State, triggering panic across the South West region.
One of the abducted teachers was unfortunately beheaded by the assailants, a few days after they were taken captive at an unknown destination.
A short video clip released by the terrorists on Sunday, May 17, 2026, captured the gunmen beheading the teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun.
The remaining victims have now spent at least 11 days in captivity, despite security operatives combing the forests.
Families and community leaders say their fears have increased as the rainy season sets in, which makes movement through forests and rough terrains increasingly difficult and dangerous for the captives, especially the toddlers among them.
Suspects arrested
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Olayinka Olushola told DAILY POST on Saturday that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to him, eight suspects were in custody as of Thursday but on Friday, more people were arrested in connection with the heinous attacks.
He said, “We have suspects in custody, even yesterday, arrests were made in respect to the incident.
“Eight people have been in custody but more people were arrested yesterday (Friday) we are currently profiling them to know who and who were involved in the attacks.
“Investigation has been on and we will come up with the exact number of arrested suspects when they are fully profiled”.
Tension in Lagos
DAILY POST gathered weekend that security has been beefed up around schools and other public places across Lagos State over fear of possible terrorist attack.
A resident, Monica Agwu, confirmed security presence in strategic places, including worship centers, saying “everybody is currently at alert”.
“Oyo State to Lagos is just about 100 kilometers, so if they are attacking in Oyo, I don’t think Lagos State is safe.
“The government has failed us, people are worried about how they can pay their children’s school fees and after all the stress, you are still not sure of the safety of your children.
“It is a terrible moment for our country. The government doesn’t want to take responsibility but we will still blame them because it is their duty to protect our lives”, she said.
Similarly, popular social critic, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as Verydarkman, VDM, in a video he shared on his social media pages on Saturday, alleged that the criminal elements are already close to Lagos.
“Before now, they said Lagos State is safe, now, the story is different but they don’t won’t to tell you the truth.
“If they (terrorists) are already in Oyo State then they are already in Lagos State. They are everywhere.
“They are only looking for the best strategy to attack the city but they are already there”, VDM said.
However, when contacted by DAILY POST, the deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Ambimbola Adebisi simply said “several things have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents”.
State Police is the only way out – Expert
A security expert, Stanley Abiodun says the establishment of state police remains the only solution to the decade-long security challenges bedeviling the nation.
He, however, lamented what he described as “politicization of serious national issues”, stating that by now, state police should have been in force if not for politics.
He said, “It’s not like they don’t know what to do to end this crisis. They know but the politicization of important national matters will not allow Nigeria to grow.
“This very government is ready to establish state police but because they are not sure if the local security will be used against them in the 2027 election, they want to win first.
“The terrorists may be everywhere in Yorubaland. I knew that from when they started attacking schools and churches in Kwara State. The target is obviously not Kwara but Lagos.
“Our security agencies lack what it takes to stop these bad boys from migrating from one place to another.
“Imagine posting a police officer, who is originally from South East to a place like Ekiti State, he won’t know all the terrains where criminals could possibly pass. But when we have state police, you will see changes.
“They understand their land. They know who is behaving funny and who is not a member of their community. This is the only way to go”.
