Kwara community remains vulnerable to bandit attacks, monarch laments

The Owa of Eruku, Oba Olanrewaju Busari, has warned that his community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State remains vulnerable to repeated attacks.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News Night on Monday, following the rescue of 38 abducted residents, Oba Busari cited the ease with which bandits move through the dense forests connecting the town to neighbouring states.

The monarch disclosed that warning signs had emerged prior to the latest attack.

He said, “We are somewhat vulnerable because we have large forests linking the community with neighbouring states and local governments. This makes it easier for them to move around in the surrounding forests

We’ve been hearing gunshots along the roads, and farmers have sometimes been harassed and forced away from their farms. Our local vigilantes have been trying to manage the situation, but the scale of what happened on Tuesday was unprecedented.”

The monarch emphasised that the area is governed but difficult to police because the attackers often blend in with herders.

“The attackers strike and run. Our local hunters sometimes pursue them, but they escape and return later. Often they mix with herders—you can hardly tell who is a herder and who is a kidnapper,” he explained.

Oba Busari expressed gratitude to federal and state authorities for their prompt response. He, however, stressed that a permanent security presence is needed to prevent future attacks.

“I thank President Ahmed Tinubu for quickly deploying soldiers and police. I also thank the Kwara State Government and His Excellency for coming to our rescue almost immediately. The Commissioner of Police and the DSS rose to the occasion,” he said.

“There must be a lasting solution, including the positioning of permanent security personnel, such as the military or a mobile police squadron. Our community borders Kwara, Ekiti, and Kogi States, making it difficult to identify who is who. Permanent security personnel can monitor and check the activities of these hideouts,” he added.

Oba Busari added that he had communicated these needs directly to the state governor.

“We spoke with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He personally visited the community, and we requested these measures. We received a positive response that the government will establish a permanent Forward Operating Base,” the monarch stated.

The monarch urged residents to remain vigilant and provide information to authorities.

“People should be courageous and report any strange movements or unfamiliar faces so we can alert the authorities for immediate action,” he said.

Commenting on the condition of the freed captives, Oba Busari said, “I’m happy; their spirits are high. Not all may be fully recovered—some may feel weak—but with time, they will recover. I’m very glad the government has taken them to the hospital for proper care