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By Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
A former Executive Chairman of the Ekiti local government area of Kwara state, Mr. Akintoba Fatigun, has strongly condemned the latest bandit attack on Eruku community, describing it as a painful tragedy that further exposes the alarming insecurity in parts of the state.
He therefore called on the Federal Government without further delay to deploy more troops to the state so as to put an end to the dastardly act in the state.
Fatigun, in a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday, made available to journalists on the incident which left residents injured and others kidnapped, said the attack was not only heartbreaking but also a clear indictment of what he described as the worsening “absentee governance” in the state.
According to the statement, “the Egbe/Eruku/Obbo-ile road “has, for years, remained a terror zone,” with criminal elements operating freely while the state government fails to provide adequate protection for the people”.
The statement said, “This incident is devastating and unacceptable.
“Our people cannot continue to live and travel in fear.
“The Egbe/Eruku/Obbo-ile axis has always been a known danger spot, yet nothing concrete has been done.
“The Kwara State Government under Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq must rise to its responsibilities.”
He criticized the governor for not leveraging his position as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to attract security support, peace, and development to the state.
“This is the time for the governor to use his national influence as NGF Chairman to safeguard Kwara, restore peace, and bring development, not to preside over the absenteeism and empty governance that our people are witnessing today,” he added.
Fatigun emphasized that the safety of citizens must remain the top priority of a responsible government, insisting that Kwara cannot afford to leave its communities at the mercy of bandits.
He commiserated with the Owa of Eruku, the families of the victims, offering prayers for healing and divine comfort.
He also prayed for the safe and speedy return of those kidnapped.
“My heart is with the people of Eruku,” he said. “I pray for strength for the affected families and for the safe return of our abducted brothers and sisters.
“Our communities deserve protection, not neglect. It is time for decisive action.”
He called for immediate deployment of security operatives, improved intelligence coordination and long-term interventions to reclaim the area from criminal control.
