The Oyo State Police Command has called on residents of the state, particularly those in vulnerable communities, to immediately alert security operatives to any suspicious activities in their surroundings.
The advisory followed reports that a group suspected to be bandits circulated a written notice threatening to attack Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area on Tuesday, January 20.
The warning comes barely days after gunmen believed to be bandits ambushed and killed five forest rangers at the Old Oyo National Park in Oloka village, within the same council area.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, the police confirmed awareness of the threat note and assured residents that security measures have been activated in response.
He disclosed that individuals who discovered or may have been in contact with the threatening message are currently being debriefed, adding that the State Intelligence Department, working alongside tactical units, has been mandated to carry out an intensive probe.
“The State Intelligence Department, in collaboration with tactical formations, has commenced debriefing of all persons linked to the discovery of the note,” he said.
Ayanlade further stated that operational assets have been deployed and repositioned across Ikoyi-Ile and neighbouring communities to forestall any attack.
He said security agencies have also ramped up patrols, stop-and-search operations, surveillance and strategic area dominance to deter criminal elements.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information that could assist ongoing investigations and prevent security breaches.