Recent deadly attacks in Oyo, Ogun and other South‑west areas have stirred fear across the region. A string of coordinated strikes has some people whispering that the insurgents behind North‑East violence have slipped into Yorubaland.
Several unprovoked killings and abductions have been reported. On April 18, 3026, heavily armed men stormed a church during an open‑air crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, killing a pastor and abducting worshippers. On May 12, 2026, Ogun police confirmed three family members were kidnapped at Ipojo Golden Estate, Oke‑Eri, Ijebu Ode. Days later, police and vigilantes disrupted an alleged N10 million ransom pickup by a suspected gang in Otefon Village Forest, Atiba LGA, Oyo State. A schoolgirl was reportedly kidnapped in Challenge, Ibadan, and a retired teacher was killed on his farm in Ago Area, Oke Ogun.
The worst shock was the May 15 attacks on three schools in the Ahoro‑Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, Oriire LGA. Terrorists on motorbikes hit Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro‑Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, killing at least two and abducting more than 30 students and teachers. One abducted teacher was later beheaded. A video released on May 17 captured the killing of Michael Oyedokun. The remaining victims have spent at least 11 days in captivity as security forces comb forests, and families fear the coming rains will make rescue harder — especially for toddlers.
On arrests, Oyo Police PPRO Olayinka Olushola said several suspects are in custody. “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”.
Lagos has beefed up security. Resident Monica Agwu said “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.
Popular social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse (VDM) warned: “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.
When contacted, Lagos deputy PPRO SP Ambimbola Adebisi said “several things have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents”.
Security expert Stanley Abiodun argued for state police: “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 Kwra 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”.
