By Peter.
Kwara State has ordered the immediate and indefinite closure of all schools across Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs following Tuesday night’s horrific bandit attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, that left 3 worshippers dead and over 35 abducted — including women, children, and the pastor.
The directive, issued Wednesday by the Ministry of Education and relayed through the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), cited “security challenges ravaging the area” and the government’s effort to protect students and staff.
What Happened in Eruku?
- Congregants were holding a thanksgiving service for 18 residents freed from kidnapping three weeks ago
- Around 7:30 pm, heavily armed bandits stormed the church, shooting indiscriminately
- 3 killed on the spot (one reportedly shot from a tree the attackers climbed)
- 35+ abducted, including a grandmother and her granddaughter
- Attack lasted nearly an hour with zero response from nearby police and military despite SOS calls
Community Fury: “Police Aided the Bandits”
Residents and victims are livid, accusing security forces of complicity:
- Youths pursuing the bandits were tear-gassed and shot at by police from the station gate
- Police allegedly allowed attackers to escape into the forest
- A vigilante claimed: “They collected our rifles for ‘training’ on Sunday — two days later, bandits struck. Same pattern as Oke-Ode massacre”
- Locals now demanding: “Remove the police, arm us instead”
Angry youths blocked the Ilorin–Kabba Expressway for hours with bonfires and logs, stranding hundreds of vehicles.
Governor AbdulRazaq Responds
Visiting Eruku Wednesday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced:
- Immediate request for a permanent Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base in Eruku
- Establishment of a Mobile Police Squadron
- Already spoke to GOC 2 Division and IGP Kayode Egbetokun
- Revealed President Tinubu cancelled his G20 trip over the Kwara and Kebbi attacks
Broader Context: Kwara South Under Siege
Eruku is the latest in a string of attacks in Kwara’s border communities with Kogi and Ekiti. Farmers have fled, teachers have resigned, and residents pay ransom regularly. Bandits displaced from military operations in neighbouring forests are regrouping in Kwara’s porous, roadless hinterlands.
X is boiling:
- “They attacked a church during thanksgiving for freed kidnap victims — pure evil”
- “Kwara police tear-gassing victims chasing bandits? Sack the entire division!”
- “From State of Harmony to State of Horror” trending with 40K+ posts
Kwara South is now a no-go zone for education and farming. Until the Army base and mobile squadron arrive, residents say they’ll defend themselves — by any means necessary.
Prayers for the abducted. This has to stop. 🇳🇬🙏 #ErukuMassacre #KwaraInsecurity #EndBanditryNow
