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 with newsmen, 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.
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.
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