Kwara: Angry youths block Ilorin–Kabba Road after deadly bandit attack

Kwara map

Tension escalated in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Wednesday as angry youths blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway to protest a deadly bandit attack on their community.

Armed attackers had stormed Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, during an evening service on Tuesday, killing three persons and abducting at least ten worshippers. A young girl who sustained a gunshot injury was reported to be in critical condition.

As of press time, none of the abducted victims had been rescued, though local hunters continued combing the surrounding forests.

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When Vanguard visited the area around 3:00 p.m., the protest had already caused long hours of gridlock, leaving several articulated vehicles heading toward Kogi State stranded.

Residents alleged that the attack, which lasted nearly an hour, unfolded without a timely intervention from security operatives. One of the protesters, Timothy Joshua—whose wife and granddaughter were among those abducted—expressed deep frustration over what he described as inadequate response from security agents.

A youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, also voiced concern, noting that despite community contributions to support local policing, the response on the night of the attack fell short of residents’ expectations.

Police, DSS, and Military Step In

In response to mounting anger, Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, visited Eruku on Wednesday in company with the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS). Vanguard