Nigeria confronts rising bandit violence after attack on Ogun drilling site

On June 8, 2026, armed bandits stormed a Chinese‑owned drilling company in Magun, Ogun State, killing a soldier on duty and abducting several workers. The attackers exchanged fire with military personnel before fleeing, highlighting the boldness of recent bandit actions in the country's southwest.

Media personality D English Alhaji warned in a viral video that “nobody is safe anymore,” saying the insecurity that once was confined to the north has now spread across Nigeria, including the southwest. He stressed that attacks can occur at any time of day and that the situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable and violent.

National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Prof Tukur Mohammed‑Baba, criticised President Tinubu’s government, asserting that insecurity is worsening despite official statements. He pointed to the proliferation of bandits, the need for forest guards, and the rise of self‑help measures by citizens, noting disruptions to schooling and daily life across several states.