Updated: Bandits Attack Vehicle on Ibadan Route, 2 Others, Abduct Several Passengers
- Gunmen abducted several passengers from a Kishi-Ibadan commercial vehicle, heightening local security concerns, Legit.ng has exclusively learnt
- The Old Oyo Forest Reserve along the Kishi–Igbeti axis has reportedly become a bandit hideout, prompting an emergency stakeholders’ meeting
- Communities in Oyo's neighbour, Kwara state, face rising terrorism, leading to military deployment under Operation Savannah Shield
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering security matters and counter-insurgency in Nigeria and Africa.
Ibadan, Oyo State - Gunmen known locally as bandits have attacked vehicles travelling on routes in Oyo and Kwara states, abducting several passengers.
A commercial driver, whose colleague was among the victims, told Legit.ng exclusively that the attack occurred on Wednesday night, March 4. The vehicle operates along the Kishi–Ibadan axis.
Source: Facebook
He added that the assailants seized about eight passengers from three different vehicles. Two additional reliable sources confirmed the attack to this reporter, with one noting that she saw security forces’ aircraft patrolling the skies in Kishi town on Thursday morning, March 5, a sight she described as “very unusual.”
The source stated that vigilante members have been dispatched into the forests for a rescue mission.
Kishi, located in the far northern part of Oyo state, serves as the headquarters of Irepo local government area (LGA). Sources said tension is mounting in the town.
Details of the incident remain unclear, as police authorities in Oyo said they were unaware of the attack when contacted. Ayanlade Olayinka, the state police spokesperson, told Legit.ng:
"I don’t have an update about that.”
However, moments after Legit.ng’s report, Olayinka sent a statement to this platform confirming the abduction
The police official said:
"Four persons have been confirmed abducted along the Igbeti–Kishi Road.
"Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, immediately directed the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Kishi and Igbeti Divisions, supported by other tactical teams, to deploy all necessary operational assets to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the prompt arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. Coordinated search and rescue efforts are currently underway, with security operatives combing the surrounding areas and intensifying intelligence gathering to track down the suspects.
"The Command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and urges members of the public to remain calm while providing any useful information that could assist ongoing operations."
No official statement has been issued by the state government as of the time of this report.
'Terrorists hide in Old Oyo forest reserve'
It will be recalled that Legit.ng reported that key stakeholders in Kishi recently lamented that the Old Oyo Forest Reserve, located between Kishi and Igbeti, has become a convenient hideout for bandits, enabling them to move freely. Igbeti is situated in Olorunsogo Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State.
At the conclusion of a major stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the residence of Bayo Lawal, the deputy governor of Oyo State, Legit.ng learned exclusively that participants warned that the presence of bandits in Old Oyo National Park poses a serious threat to the security of the South-West region.
The emergency meeting, convened amid rumours of a kidnapping at Kishi Nursing College, was attended by Prof. Solihu Adelabu, the Oyo State Commissioner for Establishment and Training; Taoheed Olayiwola, chairman of Irepo LGA; a representative of Kishi monarch Oba Masoud Aweda Arowoduye II; as well as personnel from the National Park Service of Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
Although the speculation of a bandit attack at Kishi Nursing College was later proven false, stakeholders said they are taking proactive measures to address the rising insecurity in the area. Legit.ng exclusively obtained a communiqué from the meeting, which raised alarm over the potential dangers.
Kwara communities under terror attack
In early February, terrorists killed over 100 people in Woro community, Kaiama LGA, Kwara state. Many stakeholders have highlighted the parallels between the tragedy in Woro and the potential dangers lurking in the valleys of Kishi's Irepo LGA because the two areas are geographically not too far from each other.
After the Woro attack, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the deployment of an army battalion to Kwara.
In a statement published on social media, Tinubu said the military command would spearhead the effort, codenamed Operation Savannah Shield, “to checkmate the barbaric terrorists."
Source: Facebook
The Nigerian leader condemned the attack as “cowardly and barbaric”, saying the gunmen targeted defenceless villagers.
Still, reports continue to emerge of terrorists invading Kwara communities.
For instance, panic overwhelmed residents of Gbugbu community in the Edu LGA of Kwara state on Sunday, February 22, following an alleged invasion of the community by suspected terrorists.
Reports said the gunmen attacked the community after 8 pm.
Earlier, on Sunday evening, February 15, local security sources reported that bandits attacked Share community in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara state.
Ibraheem Abdullateef, the senior special assistant on communications to Kwara state governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, confirmed the attack. Abdullateef disclosed that there was an exchange of gunshots that lasted for about one hour.
Kidnappings for ransom have become common in parts of Nigeria, where armed gangs target rural communities, often overwhelming local security forces.
The unrest has heaped pressure on the Nigerian government, with President Tinubu declaring a nationwide emergency in November 2025.
Moreover, United States President Donald Trump recently threatened to carry out attacks in Nigeria in response to purported anti-Christian violence.
While human rights groups have urged the Nigerian government to do more to address unrest in the country, experts say that claims of a “Christian genocide” are false and simplistic.
Oyo governor mourns slain forest rangers
Legit.ng earlier reported that Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, described the killing of five National Park Service forest guard officers in Oloka Village by some gunmen as a devastating loss of lives.
In a statement, Governor Makinde revealed that preliminary investigations by security agencies indicated the attack was a cross-border operation carried out by bandits.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
