…seeks Governor AbdulRazaq’s intervention
By Ajewole Joshua|ABNews| September 15, 2025
The people of Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State are reeling from yet another bandit invasion that left one person dead, a newly repaired patrol van set ablaze, and no fewer than 50 cows carted away by the attackers. But the Cows were recovered by the Local security as of the time of this report. Unfortunately, the patrol van that was set ablaze was the same one recently repaired and provided to the community by the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Hon. Awelewa. In addition, he had also distributed several motorcycles to enhance mobility and strengthen patrol operations within the community. These efforts were part of ongoing initiatives, including multiple meetings with local security outfits, aimed at boosting security across the local government.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday in the border community with Kogi State, has heightened tension and renewed calls for stronger government intervention in the escalating insecurity across Kwara’s border towns.
Chairman Leads Delegation to Scene
In swift response, Hon. Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, Executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, led a delegation of top council officials and political leaders to the crime scene in Eruku. The team inspected the burnt patrol vehicle and consoled grieving residents.
The visit followed an emergency security meeting earlier in the day, which brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders—including members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim clerics—as well as community stakeholders. The meeting centered on urgent measures to tackle recurring bandit incursions.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Awelewa described the attack as a “coordinated act of terror” that has overwhelmed local vigilantes. He stressed that the scale of violence requires urgent collaboration between the military, police, and community security outfits.
“Our vigilantes are determined, but they are no match for the sophisticated weapons of these criminals. We need the Nigerian Army, police, and all security agencies to work with us if we must secure Eruku and neighboring communities,” he said.
Visit to the Owa of Eruku
After the security meeting, the delegation proceeded to the palace of the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olanrewaju, where they formally briefed the monarch on the incident. The chairman assured the traditional ruler that government would not abandon Eruku in its time of distress.
The Owa, who confirmed that 50 cows belonging to his relatives were rustled during the raid, lamented the frequency of attacks in the area. He urged the government to prioritize security in border communities before the situation degenerates further.
Victim Confirmed Dead
ABNews gathered that the victim killed during the attack was a traveler from Kogi who was shot while on his way to Ilorin. Although local vigilantes were not physically harmed, the destruction of their patrol vehicle has crippled surveillance efforts in the community.
However, the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Awelewa, expressed appreciation to the local security operatives for their prompt response, which helped to mitigate the impact of the bandits’ attack. He also commended the Governor and the Senior Special Assistant on Security for the immediate deployment of soldiers to Eruku. The Chairman further assured that his administration remains fully committed to supporting all security efforts and will explore every necessary measure to restore peace and stability in the community.
Appeal to the Governor
Following his engagements in Eruku, Hon. Awelewa promised to appeal to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to seek urgent state government intervention.
He noted that the attack on Eruku is not an isolated case but part of a larger wave of insecurity affecting several communities along Kwara’s borders with Kogi and Ekiti States.
Delegation Members
Officials who accompanied the chairman on the visit included:
- Rt. Hon. Fatoyinbo Michael Olajide, Speaker, Ekiti Local Government Legislative Council
- Hon. Ogunjide Stephen Tuni, Secretary to the Local Government (SLG)
- Hon. Bola Oluleye, Supervisory Councilor representing Eruku Ward
- Hon. Agbemuko Gabriel Olanrewaju, Personal Aide to the Executive Chairman
- Hon. Ominise Ade, Councilor representing Eruku Ward.
Community Demands Action
Residents of Eruku, who have endured repeated bandit raids in recent months, told ABNews that the security situation has gone beyond the capacity of local operatives. They appealed for immediate deployment of soldiers and mobile police units to protect lives, property, and livelihoods.
Finally, the Ekiti Local Government Chairman appealed to the state government to equip the local vigilante (forest guards) with the necessary weapons to effectively confront the bandits terrorizing communities in Ekiti Local Government and the wider Kwara South region.
With Monday’s tragedy, Eruku joins a growing list of Kwara communities grappling with violent banditry, forcing stakeholders to intensify calls for coordinated action at the state and federal levels.
