AMBUSH IN THE FOREST: Sunday Igboho’s Security Team Caught in Deadly Bandit Crossfire as Bullets Fly in Oyo

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It started like a routine movement through the dense Oyo forest — but in seconds, it turned into a full-scale ambush.

Suspected bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the security team escorting Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. The attack, which occurred in a thickly forested area of Oyo State, left the convoy under heavy gunfire as the bandits attempted to overwhelm the team.

Gunshots echoed through the trees. The security operatives returned fire in a fierce exchange that turned the quiet forest into a battlefield. For several terrifying minutes, it was a fight for survival — bullets ripping through vegetation, vehicles taking hits, and men scrambling for cover.

The Ambush Details

According to  Vanguard reports, the bandits struck with precision and numbers, a hallmark of the well-organised armed groups terrorising parts of the Southwest and Northwest. The security team, caught in the kill zone, fought back valiantly to protect their principal and extract themselves from the trap.

While there were no immediate reports of fatalities on Igboho’s side, the intensity of the ambush left the convoy damaged and the team shaken. The bandits melted back into the forest after the gun battle, a common tactic used by these groups to avoid prolonged confrontation with better-equipped responders.

Why Igboho? The Target and the Message

Sunday Igboho has been a polarising and high-profile figure — known for his strong stance on Yoruba self-determination, his earlier clashes with the federal government, and his vocal criticism of insecurity. His return to the Southwest and continued activism have made him a target for those who see him as a threat.

This ambush sends a chilling message: even prominent voices with security details are not safe in parts of the region. The forest zones in Oyo have become notorious hideouts for bandit groups that cross between states, carrying out kidnappings, robberies, and targeted attacks.

The Broader War on Insecurity

Watch Igboho’s recent visit to fulani settlement  in Oyo

This incident is the latest in a string of bold attacks by armed groups operating with relative impunity in the Southwest. Despite repeated military operations and promises from authorities, the forests remain dangerous corridors where bandits move freely, strike hard, and disappear.

For Igboho and his team, the ambush is a stark reminder of the reality on the ground — the same insecurity he has spoken against for years nearly claimed lives close to him.

What Happens Next

Security agencies have been alerted, and investigations are underway. But in these forests, where bandits often have the home advantage, tracking and apprehending the attackers will be no easy task.

The ambush on Sunday Igboho’s security team is more than just another attack. It is a loud echo of the war Nigeria is fighting against well-armed criminal networks that are increasingly bold, organised, and unafraid to target high-profile figures.

The forest is quiet again for now. But the message from this deadly encounter is clear: the battle for control of Nigeria’s highways and forests is far from over.

This is the new face of insecurity — swift, brutal, and increasingly daring.

Stay vigilant. The war in the bushes is real.