Two people have been reportedly killed by suspected bandits during an attack in Eruku, a boundary town in the Ekiti Local Government Area.
According to reports, a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, was reportedly attacked by the gunmen.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening, when the gunmen stormed the outskirts of the town.
Eyewitnesses in the community told newsmen that the attackers stormed the area “suddenly and heavily armed,” forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
“They came around nightfall and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken,” one resident said.
Another resident lamented that Eruku had been under perpetual attacks for the last three weeks, with bandits striking repeatedly despite several distress calls.
“We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day,” he added.
Community members say the police, vigilantes, and the Eruku Progressive Union have mounted resistance in recent weeks, but the renewed assault has worsened fears of worsening insecurity.
“We need federal help. These attacks are becoming too much for us to bear,” an elder in the community pleaded.
The police said they responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to flee.
“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,” the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, disclosed in a statement.
