Two people have been killed and another injured after suspected bandits launched an attack on Eruku, a border community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The armed men were said to have stormed the outskirts of the town on Tuesday evening, attacking a parish of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun.
According to a statement from the state police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, officers responded swiftly to the distress call, forcing the attackers to flee.
Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed that a search of the area led to the discovery of two victims fatally shot by the gunmen.
“Upon thorough search of the area, one male victim, Mr Aderemi, was discovered fatally shot inside the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun; while one Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi, another victim of fatal gunshot, was found in the bush.
“A vigilante, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for medical treatment,” she stated.
Reacting to the incident, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the attack and directed urgent reinforcement of security in the border communities.
“The governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area,” his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement.
AbdulRazaq also commiserated with the families of the victims and the church community, assuring continued government support for security agencies. He further acknowledged the recent deployment of 900 additional troops by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state, describing it as a strategic step to strengthen safety.
Authorities have pledged stronger measures to restore peace in affected areas.
