Panic gripped a border community in Kwara as armed men stormed in at dawn — but local vigilantes fought back and forced them to flee.
Residents of Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area were jolted awake around 5 a.m. on Friday when suspected bandits invaded the community, firing sporadically and setting a vehicle ablaze.
But the attackers’ plan — believed to be a kidnapping operation — was cut short after local vigilantes and forest guards quickly mobilised, confronting the gunmen and forcing them to retreat.
A resident said the incident has intensified fear among villagers who say their community has faced repeated threats from armed groups.
“Eruku is my village. This is not the first time bandits are attacking us. The last time they struck during a church live programme,” the resident said.
According to locals, the gunmen arrived before dawn, firing shots that sent residents scrambling for safety.
Security sources confirmed the attack was an attempted kidnapping, which was foiled by the swift response of community security groups.
Eruku sits along the border between Kwara State and Kogi State — a location residents say has left the area vulnerable to criminal gangs believed to operate from nearby forests.
Community members say the situation is worsening due to rising bandit attacks in Yagba West Local Government Area, warning that the violence is spilling into neighbouring Kwara communities.
Many villagers say they are now living in constant fear and are urging authorities to deploy more security personnel and strengthen surveillance in forest areas around the border.
As of the time of this report, authorities had not issued an official statement, and it remains unclear if anyone was abducted during the attack.
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