Panic has once again swept through parts of Kwara State as a wave of violent attacks continues to unsettle communities already living on the edge of fear. In reaction to the escalating situation, a presidential aide confirmed late Monday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a total security cordon around the vast forests believed to be serving as hideouts for the terrorists behind the recent series of deadly assaults. The directive, according to the aide, is part of an emergency response aimed at flushing out the gunmen who have turned several rural communities into targets of grief and horror.
Residents of communities affected by the latest attacks describe scenes reminiscent of a war zone. In Isapa and nearby towns, bullet holes now scar the walls and doors of homes, silent reminders of the chaos that unfolded as heavily armed men moved through multiple parts of the area. Locals say spent AK-47 shells were found scattered across compounds and footpaths after the gunmen finally retreated into the bush, leaving families shaken and unsure of what their next dawn would bring.
The new wave of violence comes just days after SaharaReporters detailed a deadly incident in the Eruku community, where terrorists invaded a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) during an evening meeting. The attack was swift, brutal, and deeply traumatizing. According to eyewitnesses, the killers walked into the church quietly—then opened fire without a word, turning a peaceful gathering into a scene of blood and panic.
"One minute they walked in, the next minute they were shooting," a witness told SaharaReporters, still visibly shaken by the memory. "Three people were killed on the spot. They forced others out at gunpoint and marched them into the bush. We don't yet know how many were taken."
The pastor of the church was among those abducted, alongside several worshippers whose families are still waiting for any form of communication from the kidnappers. The entire community has been thrown into mourning, with residents gathering in small, anxious groups, whispering prayers, trading stories of survival, and wondering why their once-peaceful home has become a hunting ground for marauders.
Security analysts say the attackers are exploiting the rugged terrain surrounding Eruku and other parts of Ekiti Local Government Area. The thick forests stretch for miles, creating a network of bush paths linking multiple rural communities—perfect escape routes for criminals familiar with the landscape. Residents confirm that after each assault, the terrorists vanish into the same wooded areas, leaving security agencies struggling to track their movements.
It is these forests that the President’s new directive aims to shut down completely. A total security cordon, as explained by officials, will involve deploying combined forces of the military, police, and intelligence units to surround the forest region, cut off all exit routes, and commence a coordinated sweep through the affected areas. The hope is to dismantle the terrorists’ hideouts, rescue abducted victims, and restore some sense of safety to communities that have endured repeated nightmares over the past weeks.
But for many villagers, fear has already settled deep into their daily lives. Days after the latest attacks, families are still sleeping in groups, some relocating temporarily to relatives in safer towns. Farmers, who depend on the forests for their livelihood, say they are now afraid to enter their own farmlands, fearing ambush by armed men who patrol the bush more freely than the rightful residents do.
Elders in the communities say the situation has gone beyond what local vigilante groups can handle. "These people are not petty thieves," one community leader explained. "They are heavily armed, they move in numbers, and they shoot without fear. If the government doesn’t act fast, more lives will be lost."
The President’s directive appears to be an acknowledgment of this urgent plea. According to officials, the security cordon will also include aerial surveillance, monitoring drone activity, and collaboration with local intelligence sources who understand the terrain. Security agencies have reportedly been instructed to ensure minimal collateral damage, as the forests also serve as farmland, hunting grounds, and safe routes for villagers.
Despite the government’s renewed efforts, uncertainty still clouds the minds of many residents. The sight of bullet-riddled walls and empty homes where abducted families once lived serves as a haunting reminder of just how vulnerable they remain. For some, the fear is not just of the terrorists but of the unknown—how long will the security operations last? Will the abducted return alive? Will the attackers strike again before the cordon takes full effect?
As evening falls across the troubled communities, the roads empty quickly. Doors are double-checked, lights switched off early, and conversations end abruptly at the faintest unfamiliar sound. Even children, who once played freely in open fields, now cling to their parents with quiet, watchful eyes.
Local sources say the terrorists have become more daring, targeting churches, roads, and residential homes with coordinated precision. The CAC church attack, in particular, has left a deep emotional wound. The three worshippers killed on that tragic night have been buried amid tears and outrage, while their families continue to endure the sharp pain of sudden loss. The church compound, once filled with hymns and prayers, is now eerily silent.
For Eruku and its neighboring towns, the question is no longer whether the terrorists will return—it is when. The hope now rests on whether the President’s security lockdown will be swift, decisive, and sustained enough to break the cycle of violence before more lives are shattered.
Across Kwara State, the call for justice, safety, and accountability grows louder. Residents are demanding not only the rescue of abducted victims but also structural changes that will prevent these attacks from repeating. Community leaders are urging the government to invest in long-term security measures, better road access, communication systems, and stronger paramilitary presence in rural areas.
For now, all eyes remain on the forests—those dark, sprawling spaces where countless families believe their loved ones are being held, and where armed men move like ghosts. The federal government’s new security directive offers a glimmer of hope, but until the gunmen are captured and the abducted safely returned, the tension in Kwara communities will remain unbroken.
As families brace themselves for the nights ahead, one fact is unmistakable: Kwara State is standing at a dangerous crossroads, caught between fear and hope, between the violence of the past weeks and the possibility of renewed peace. Whether the President’s intervention will finally turn the tide is a question that only the coming days—filled with uncertainty, expectation, and prayer—can answer.
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