Rising terror attacks in South West spark fear as security agencies intensify operations

Growing cases of killings, abductions and coordinated attacks by suspected terrorists in parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti and other South West states have heightened tension across the region, with residents expressing fears that insurgent groups responsible for violence in northern Nigeria may have infiltrated Yorubaland.

In recent weeks, communities across the South West have witnessed a disturbing wave of attacks targeting schools, worship centres, farms and residential areas, leaving several persons dead and many others kidnapped.

Security concerns deepened following the invasion of a church during an open-air crusade in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, on April 18, 2026, when heavily armed men suspected to be terrorists reportedly killed a pastor and abducted several worshippers.

Barely weeks later, 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, Ogun State.

The rising insecurity also spread into Oyo State, where police and vigilante operatives foiled an alleged N10 million ransom collection by a suspected kidnapping syndicate in Otefon Village Forest in Atiba Local Government Area.

Earlier incidents in the state had already raised alarm among residents after a schoolgirl was reportedly kidnapped in the Challenge area of Ibadan, while a retired teacher was murdered on his farm in the Ago area of Oke-Ogun.

However, the most shocking attack occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen attacked three schools, killing at least two persons and abducting more than 30 students and teachers.

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The assailants, reportedly riding motorcycles, stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School on May 15, triggering widespread panic across the South West.

Tragedy worsened days later after one of the abducted teachers, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the attackers while in captivity. A video clip allegedly released by the gunmen on May 17 showed the gruesome killing, sparking outrage and fear among residents.

The remaining captives have now spent over 11 days in the custody of their abductors despite ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies combing surrounding forests and remote areas.

Community leaders and relatives of the victims say their worries have increased with the onset of the rainy season, noting that movement through forests and difficult terrains could endanger the lives of the abducted victims, particularly children among them.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Olayinka Olushola, disclosed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

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According to him, eight suspects were already in custody as of Thursday, while additional arrests were made on Friday.

“We have suspects in custody. Even yesterday, arrests were made in respect to the incident,” he said.

“Eight people have been in custody, but more people were arrested yesterday. We are currently profiling them to determine those involved in the attacks.

“Investigations are ongoing and we will announce the exact number of arrested suspects once profiling is completed.”

Meanwhile, security has reportedly been strengthened around schools, worship centres and strategic public locations in Lagos State amid fears of possible attacks.

Residents said the recent incidents in neighbouring states had created anxiety within the commercial capital.

A Lagos resident, Monica Agwu, confirmed increased security presence in several areas, noting that many people were living in fear.

“Oyo State to Lagos is just about 100 kilometres, so if attacks are happening there, I don’t think Lagos is completely safe,” she said.

“The government has failed us. People struggle to pay school fees and after all the sacrifices, you are still uncertain about the safety of your children.

“It is a terrible moment for our country. Government must take responsibility because protecting lives is their primary duty.”

Popular social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), also raised concerns in a video posted on social media, alleging that criminal elements may already be operating close to Lagos.

“Before now, they said Lagos was safe, but the story is changing,” he said.

“If terrorists are already in Oyo State, then they are already in Lagos State. They are everywhere and only looking for the best strategy to strike.”

Reacting to the fears, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Adebimbola Adebisi, assured residents that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee public safety.

“Several things have been put in place to ensure the safety of residents,” he stated.

A security expert, Stanley Abiodun, blamed the persistent security crisis on the absence of state police, arguing that localised policing would significantly improve intelligence gathering and crime prevention.

According to him, political considerations have continued to delay the establishment of state police despite worsening insecurity nationwide.

“It’s not that the authorities don’t know what to do. The politicisation of important national issues is preventing progress,” he said.

“This government appears willing to establish state police, but political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections are slowing the process.

“The terrorists may already be spread across Yorubaland. I realised this from the attacks on schools and churches in Kwara State. Their ultimate target may not even be Kwara but larger cities like Lagos

“Our security agencies lack the local intelligence needed to stop these criminals from moving freely from one location to another.

“When you deploy officers unfamiliar with local terrains, intelligence gathering becomes difficult. But state police officers would understand their environment, know the communities and identify suspicious movements quickly. That is the direction Nigeria must go.”