The Guardian Nigeria reports that Oyo State Police received intelligence after a handwritten note threatening an attack was allegedly dropped in Ikoyi-Ile, prompting an immediate operational response.
Police say tactical units were deployed, patrols intensified and stop-and-search operations reinforced, while investigators work to verify the origin and intent of the note.
Community leaders and residents have been advised to stay calm, report suspicious activity and cooperate with security agencies to prevent panic and misinformation.
The incident underscores persistent security anxieties around rural communities and the challenge of early-warning systems for potential attacks.
Echotitbits take: Threat notes can be real—or psychological warfare. The next steps are verification and visible protection. Watch for coordinated security presence and credible intelligence updates, not rumours.
Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/police-boost-security-in-oyo-community-over-threat-of-bandit-attack/, 10 January 2026
2026-01-01 06:20:00
According to Punch, suspected bandits attacked Ipele in Ondo State and set a police station ablaze, sparking panic in the community.
Reporting by the outlet indicates the attack involved heavy gunfire, with residents fleeing for safety as security personnel were overwhelmed.
The incident adds to broader concerns about violence targeting law enforcement infrastructure and rural communities.
Premium Times also reported the attack and quoted residents describing how people hid in nearby bushes during the assault.
TheCable similarly covered the incident and quoted eyewitness accounts describing the fear triggered by sustained gunfire.
Echotitbits take:
The follow-up matters: response time, reinforcements, and whether there is credible pursuit. Watch for a formal incident report (casualties, recovered exhibits, and arrests) rather than only reassurances.
Source: The Punch — January 1, 2026 (https://punchng.com/panic-as-bandits-attack-police-station-in-ondo/)
Nigerian troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have killed an armed bandit and arrested two others when they engaged the criminals with superior firepower during a night patrol at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In a statement on Saturday, by the Coordinator, Media Operations, Defence Headquarters (DHq), Major General John Enenche, troops engaged the criminals who fled in disarray due to troops’ overwhelming superior firepower. During the encounter, one of the armed bandits was neutralized, while 2 of them were arrested. One AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine were also recovered from the criminals.
“On 17 December 2020, troops of Forward Operating Base Shinkafi, while on night patrol, came in contact with some armed bandits at Bakinruwa Riverside in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State” the General said.
In a related development, on 18 December 2020, troops deployed at Shinkafi arrested one Zainab at Shinkafi town in Shinkafi Local Government of Zamfara State.
According to General Enenche, the suspect was found roaming the town in police uniform.
He explained that: “A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of the State and has been involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public. All arrested suspects have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action” Enenche stated.
The DHq chief attributed the latest efforts of the Nigerian military to its committment to forestall banditry and other criminal activities in the North Central Zone of the Country. He added that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have sustained its aggressive fighting posture in the Zone.
Security agencies Friday night repelled armed bandits and rescued two persons: Sahabi Lawal and Dan Aliko, while Sani Khalil is still missing in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The agencies explained that the armed bandits ambushed troops and security operatives patrolling Rigasa-Link Road at Rugar Bello Junction.
The operatives added that the Armoured Personnel Carrier of the police was riddled with bullets.
“The bandits who were denied freedom of action escaped while stray bullets hit two citizens driving from Mando axis of Rigasa-Link Road.
“The two citizens were rushed to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital but sadly, one of them, one Rabiu Awwal, died while the second citizen (Umar El-Khattab) is responding to treatment,” said a statement by Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
The statement noted that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sent a condolence to the deceased’s family and offered prayers for the repose of his soul. He also wished the citizen recuperating a speedy recovery.
The governor also commended troops and police personnel that repelled the armed bandits and rescued two citizens.
As the troops and police continue to carry out aggressive patrols in the general area, the El-Rufai administration assured that it would keep keep citizens informed of security development in the state.
Nigerian Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity have shot dead two suspected bandits and arrested 150 others in Bukuyyum and Anka councils of Zamfara State.
This was made known by the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Army Special Super Camp IV in Faskari Council of Katsina State.
Onyeuko who noted that the troops also recovered ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and Dane guns during the operation, added that the 150 suspects were arrested at an illegal mining site in Bukuyyum Council, reportedly used as a hideout. He said following the arrest, one of the suspects tried to escape, but was shot in the process.
The mining site is suspected to be harnessed and proceeds used to finance activities of bandits in the state, he added. His words: “On August 23, 2020, troops conducted a well-coordinated intelligence-based operation leading to the raid of an illegal mining site along Gadan Zaima/Zuru road in Bukuyyum, which also serves as bandits’ hideout.
“During the operation, troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally-fabricated Dane guns. One of the suspects was neutralised while trying to escape.”
He said further that preliminary investigation reveals that aside sabotaging the nation’s economy, banditry is being financed through illegal mining activities.
“During the encounter, one of the bandits was neutralised while others escaped. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and magazine loaded with five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles from the fleeing bandits,” the army chief stated.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai says the Nigerian Army will collaborate with sister agencies to bring a decisive end to armed banditry in the North-west zone of the country.
The Army Chief stated this at the commencement of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
General Buratai explained that the week-long event was being marked in Katsina State to boost the morale of frontline troops in the war against armed banditry in the North-west zone of the country.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a directive to the armed forces to extinguish the fires of banditry in the zone, through the ongoing ‘Operation Sahel Sanity’.
He tasked the troops carrying out the operation under the ‘8 Division’ and the ’17 Brigade’ of the Nigerian Army to locate every bandits’ camp in the forest and deal with them decisively.
The Army Chief assured communities across the five affected states that the army in collaboration with sister agencies would defeat armed banditry.
“The troops will move into the bush and defeat them tactically, that is our mission, and that is what we want to achieve. Anything short of that will only prolong the security crises.” So we are determined to deal with them in the bush or wherever they are, even in the towns and cities. We will deal with them decisively,” Buratai reiterated.
This year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration has the theme “Nigeria’s Territorial Defence and Sovereignty: the Imperative for Nigerian Army’s Sustained Training and Operations”.
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned heads of Nigeria’s security agencies of underperformance, which has obviously permitted a spate of attack and killings by insurgents and bandits especially in the Northern region of the country.
The President’s warning was disclosed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Major General Babagana Monguno after Buhari met with Service Chiefs at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
Monguno revealed that the President is not pleased with the way insecurity is being handled in many parts of the country and is not mincing words about it.
President Buhari at the meeting was said to have warned the heads of the nation’s security agencies to quit giving excuses in the discharge of their duties to protect Nigerians as such would no longer be tolerated.
L-R: Chief of Naval staff, Rear Admiral Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Abayomi Olonishakin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu
The NSA noted that while the service chiefs are trying their best to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country, President Buhari insisted that their best is not good enough and asked them to do more to secure the nation and its people.
One outcome from the high-level security meeting was the order giving to the NSA boss to meet with state governors in the North-West and that of Niger State, in other to identify the problems and find solutions to them.
Buhari’s meeting with the service chiefs was instigated by increasing bandit attacks on communities in the region, including Katsina, the President’s home state.
The attacks, which have left several people dead and many others injured in the affected states, with lots of properties destroyed by bandits had sparked criticism over the worsening insecurity in the country, especially the North West where the armed men have wreaked havoc in recent times.
As part of efforts to address the situation, Monguno, in company with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and others had embarked on a fact-finding mission to Katsina and Sokoto States.
Thursday’s meeting had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.
Others included the police boss; the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General Nigeria Intelligence Agency Ahmed Abubakar.
President Muhammadu Buhari says he will deploy more military operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Katsina and Kaduna States in order to check the activities of bandits.
The President made this known on Thursday when the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari who has been troubled with recent attacks by bandits in his state, visited the State House Abuja.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu Saturday, President Buhari stressed that “bandits, who have committed crimes against innocent citizens in the state, and across the country, will not be spared”.
Assuring the people and government of Katsina State of renewed efforts, the President stated that security operations in the troubled state and other parts of the country will be reviewed and improved to ensure the security of lives and property.
The President, commiserating with Governor Masari over the loss of lives to incessant attacks warned “bandits to surrender their weapons, or face disgraceful and violent end’’.
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