Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for an urgent and expanded security deployment to Ekiti Local Government Area, particularly the Eruku axis, following yet another violent assault that left residents in fear and mourning.
His directive comes amid a renewed surge of attacks in the region, heightening concerns over escalating insecurity.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor urged that additional security operatives be deployed without delay to strengthen the current security structure in Eruku. He described the latest assault as “unconscionable,” expressing deep sympathy to the people of the community, especially the families and the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) members directly affected by Tuesday’s attack.
Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated that the state government remains committed to supporting security agencies in their ongoing efforts to protect lives and property across Kwara. He also commended President Bola Tinubu for deploying 900 additional troops to the state, noting that the reinforcement is expected to bolster safety and restore confidence among residents.
Police Confirm Attack
The police authorities also verified the incident, describing it as an attempted bandit attack that unfolded around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Police spokesperson Adetohun Ejire-Adeyemi said the Divisional Police Officer in Eruku, alongside his team and local vigilantes, quickly responded after hearing gunfire from the outskirts of the town. Their prompt action forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bushes.
However, despite the swift response, the police confirmed that two individuals were fatally shot during the incident.
Residents of Eruku recounted the terrifying moments as the gunmen stormed the community, heavily armed and firing sporadically. According to eyewitnesses, many locals fled into nearby bushes to escape the onslaught.
“They came around nightfall and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken,” one resident told our correspondent.
Another resident lamented that Eruku had suffered “perpetual attacks for the last three weeks,” noting that repeated appeals for intervention had yielded little progress. The relentless assaults, he added, have left the community in constant fear.
Local security groups—including the police, vigilantes, and the Eruku Progressive Union—have mounted resistance in recent weeks, but the renewed violence has deepened anxieties over the worsening situation.
“We need federal help. These attacks are becoming too much for us to bear,” an elder in the community pleaded.
The troubling incident comes shortly after 26 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State. During that attack, the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, was reportedly killed, though the state government later confirmed that two of the abducted girls managed to escape.
What you should know
Eruku and surrounding communities have faced sustained insecurity, with repeated attacks over the past three weeks leaving residents distressed and demanding urgent intervention.
The latest assault, which resulted in two deaths and possible abductions, has intensified calls for stronger federal security presence.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s appeal for immediate reinforcement underscores the gravity of the situation as the state seeks to curb escalating criminal activities.
