Recent deadly attacks across parts of Oyo, Ogun and other South-West states have heightened fears over possible terrorist infiltration into Yorubaland.
A series of coordinated attacks involving killings, kidnappings and school invasions have been recorded in recent weeks, fueling concerns that insurgent groups previously concentrated in the North-East may now be expanding operations into the South-West region.
One of the earliest incidents occurred on April 18, 2026, when heavily armed attackers invaded a church during an open-air crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting several worshippers.
On May 12, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the abduction of three members of a family at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke-Eri, in Ijebu Ode.
Days later, police and vigilante operatives reportedly disrupted an attempted ₦10 million ransom collection linked to a suspected kidnapping gang operating in Otefon Village Forest in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The situation escalated further following coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Armed men on motorcycles reportedly attacked:
• Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota
• Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele
• L.A. Primary School
During the attacks on May 15, at least two persons were killed while over 30 pupils, students and teachers were abducted.
The incident triggered widespread panic across the South-West.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later reportedly beheaded by the attackers after a disturbing video surfaced online.
Families of the remaining victims say fear has intensified as the rainy season continues, making rescue operations through forests and rough terrain more difficult.
Speaking on the development, the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Olushola, confirmed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks.
“We have suspects in custody. Even yesterday, arrests were made in respect to the incident,” he said.
According to him, at least eight suspects were already in custody while more arrests were made on Friday as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, tension has reportedly spread to Lagos, where residents say security presence has increased around schools, worship centres and public locations amid fears of possible attacks.
A Lagos resident, Monica Agwu, said many residents are now living in fear over growing insecurity in neighbouring states.
“Oyo State to Lagos is just about 100 kilometres, so if they are attacking in Oyo, I don’t think Lagos State is safe,” she said.
Social critic VeryDarkMan also reacted online, alleging that criminal elements may already be operating close to Lagos.
“If they are already in Oyo State then they are already in Lagos State. They are everywhere,” he claimed in a viral video.
However, the deputy spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Ambimbola Adebisi, assured residents that security measures have been strengthened across the state.
Security expert Stanley Abiodun argued that the creation of state police remains the only long-term solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity challenges.
According to him, local policing structures would help communities better identify suspicious individuals and monitor vulnerable areas more effectively.
“This is the only way to go,” he said while criticising what he described as the politicisation of security reforms.
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