Two Die, Many Injured as Bandits Launch Attacks Along Igbeti–Kisi Road

No fewer than two persons were killed while several others sustained gunshot injuries in separate attacks launched by suspected bandits along the Igbeti–Kisi and Igboho–Igbeti road corridors in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State within 24 hours.

National Periscope gathered from eyewitness accounts and local security sources that the first attack occurred on Friday near Kisi, where two travellers reportedly lost their lives after gunmen ambushed road users.

The second attack took place on Saturday afternoon along the Igbope–Igbeti section of the road, passing through the Old Oyo National Park axis, when heavily armed men dressed in military camouflage reportedly opened fire on motorists.

Sources said the attackers, suspected to be bandits, struck at about 3:25 p.m. and targeted vehicles travelling through the forest corridor linking communities in Oorelope Local Government Area.

Among the vehicles attacked were a red Volkswagen Golf saloon car without a registration number and a commercial passenger bus, whose tyre was reportedly punctured by bullets during the assault.

According to information obtained by our correspondent, four occupants of the Golf car sustained serious gunshot injuries. The victims included the driver, identified as Alhaji Rafiu Jimoh, and one Mr. Jubril Jelili, who were said to be travelling from Igbeti towards Saki when the incident occurred.

Despite their injuries, the victims reportedly managed to drive back to Igboho, where they were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Igbope for emergency treatment.

An eyewitness said the attackers appeared in military-style uniforms, creating initial confusion among travellers before they suddenly opened fire.

“We thought they were soldiers because of the camouflage they wore, but they started shooting at vehicles. People began running for safety immediately,” the source said.

Security agencies, including personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the police divisions in Igbope and Igbeti, operatives of the Amotekun Corps and local forest guards, were said to have swiftly mobilised to the scene after the attack.

The operatives subsequently secured the area and cleared the road to allow stranded motorists continue their journeys.

As of the time of filing this report, no death had been recorded from Saturday’s attack, although the injured victims were still receiving treatment.

The latest incidents have heightened fears among residents of Oke-Ogun, particularly as criminal activities linked to kidnappers and armed gangs have increased across parts of Oyo State in recent weeks.

Only last week, the Oyo State Police Command announced the rescue of the sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons after their abduction, describing the operation as a major breakthrough against kidnapping syndicates operating in the state.

The state has also witnessed widespread concern following the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, a development that triggered protests by labour unions, civil society groups and residents demanding stronger security measures.

In another recent operation, security agencies neutralised three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted victim in Otu community within the Oke-Ogun axis, highlighting growing security challenges around forest corridors in the region.

Efforts to obtain official comments from the Oyo State Police Command on the latest attacks were unsuccessful as of press time.

Residents have, however, called for increased security patrols along the Igbeti–Kisi, Igboho–Igbeti and Old Oyo National Park routes, which they say have become vulnerable to attacks by armed criminals operating from nearby forests.