The Oyo Bandits Attack: The Death Of One’s Peer Is A Lesson To Others

By: Hon. Comrade James Onifade

The Southwest region of Nigeria, long regarded as one of the more peaceful zones in the country, is now facing an alarming security crisis. Oyo State, in particular, has witnessed a disturbing escalation in criminal activities, with bandits now brazenly operating in broad daylight.

This development demands immediate and decisive action from government authorities at all levels.

A Warning Ignored

This crisis did not emerge overnight. For months, voices have been raised, warnings have been issued, and concerns have been expressed about the deteriorating security situation across the Southwest.

The urgent call has been consistent: the government must beef up the security architecture across the entire Southwest region. What is happening in Oyo State is not an isolated incident. Similar patterns of insecurity are unfolding in Kwara State and threatening other parts of the region.

Yet, despite these repeated warnings, the response from those in positions of authority has been inadequate. The question must now be asked plainly: What is the essence of having a governor when the lives and properties of citizens are in danger? This is not a rhetorical question but a fundamental challenge to the very purpose of governance. If a government can not guarantee the basic security of its people, what justification does it have for existence?

The Changing Security Landscape

Oyo State’s security challenges represent a worrying departure from the relative peace the region has historically enjoyed.

Reports of bandit attacks, kidnappings, and armed robberies have become increasingly frequent, shattering the sense of safety that residents once took for granted. What makes this situation particularly troubling is the audacity of these criminals’ attacks are no longer confined to remote areas or the cover of darkness. Bandits now strike with impunity during the day, on major roads, and even in populated areas.

Farmers have been forced to abandon their lands due to fear of attacks, travelers approach highways with trepidation, and communities live in constant anxiety. The psychological toll on residents is immense, as the basic right to safety and security seems to slip further from their grasp with each passing day.

The insecurity in Oyo State is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader security deterioration affecting various parts of Nigeria. Several factors have contributed to this crisis. Economic hardship has pushed many into criminality as a means of survival. Porous borders and inadequate surveillance have made it easier for criminal elements to move freely.

The proliferation of weapons in civilian hands has emboldened criminal gangs. Perhaps most critically, there appears to be insufficient coordination among security agencies and between different levels of government.

The question being asked by frustrated citizens is valid and urgent: Are we all going to fold our arms and watch as insecurity consumes our communities?

Time for Governors to Sit Up

It is high time for every sitting governor in the Southwest to sit up and take their responsibilities seriously. The security challenges facing Oyo and Kwara states today could easily spread to other states in the region if decisive action is not taken immediately.

Governors must understand that their primary duty is the protection of lives and property. Economic development, infrastructure projects, and political maneuvering are all secondary to this fundamental obligation.

The governors of the Southwest must work together, pool resources, share intelligence, and coordinate security strategies across state boundaries. Criminals do not respect state lines, and neither should our security response.

Immediate Action Required: An Investigative Committee

For Oyo State specifically, the establishment of an investigative committee is now a matter of urgency. This committee must be tasked with uncovering how bandits infiltrated the forests of Oyo State, who may be aiding or harboring them, and what systemic failures allowed this situation to develop.

The mandate must be clear and uncompromising: get to the root of this crisis and ensure that bandits do not escape justice. Importantly, this investigation must spare no one caught in the act. Whether the culprits are ordinary criminals, powerful individuals providing cover, or officials who turned a blind eye, accountability must be total and transparent.

Without such comprehensive investigation and prosecution, the cycle of insecurity will continue, emboldening criminals who believe they can act with impunity. The committee should examine security intelligence failures, collaboration networks that support bandit activities, the routes through which weapons enter these areas, and the economic networks that sustain criminal operations.

Only through such thorough investigation can lasting solutions be developed.

The primary responsibility for ensuring the security of lives and property rests with the government. This is not merely a political talking point but a constitutional obligation. At the federal level, there must be adequate support for security agencies operating in Oyo State, including improved funding, modern equipment, and better intelligence-gathering capabilities.

The state government must enhance the capacity of local security outfits, improve coordination with federal security agencies, and invest in community-based security initiatives. Local governments, being closest to the people, must serve as the eyes and ears of larger security structures, providing crucial intelligence and supporting grassroots security measures.

Beyond Government: A Collective Responsibility

While government action is essential, addressing insecurity requires a collective effort. Communities must be willing to provide information to security agencies, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable.

Oyo State’s insecurity crisis is not insurmountable, but it requires urgent, coordinated action. Security agencies need adequate funding and modern equipment to combat criminal elements effectively. Intelligence gathering and sharing must improve across all security agencies. Community policing initiatives should be strengthened to bridge the gap between security forces and local populations. There must be serious consequences for criminals. Prosecution must be swift and punishment certain.

And crucially, the socio-economic conditions that breed criminality must be addressed through job creation and youth empowerment programs.
The proposed investigative committee must be empowered to do its work without interference, and its findings must lead to concrete action, not another report gathering dust on a shelf.

The people of Oyo State deserve better than to live in fear. The time for platitudes and empty promises has long passed. What is needed now is concrete action, political will, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders. The question “are we all going to fold our arms?” must be answered with a resounding “no.”

The warnings have been sounded repeatedly. The security architecture across the Southwest must be beefed up immediately. Governors must justify their positions by protecting their people. Investigative committees must be established to root out the networks enabling these criminals. Most importantly, no one, regardless of their position or connections, should be spared if they are found to be complicit in this crisis.

Every stakeholder, government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and ordinary citizens must rise to this challenge. The security of Oyo State and the wider Southwest region depends on it. The future of our communities, our economy, and our way of lives hang in the balance. Action is not just necessary; it is urgent and overdue.

E-signed: Hon. Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and A Better Judicial System