The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools across four Local Government Areas following fresh security threats in communities within Kwara South.
Naijaonpoint reports that the directive was announced on Wednesday by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State Wing.
In a circular released by the NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola, said schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs must shut down “with immediate effect until further notice.”
Agboola said the order came directly from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, following government officials’ concerns about rising insecurity.
The circular read, “Comrade chairmen, this is to inform you and through you, all schools in the above local governments of the instruction to close down all schools with immediate effect until further notice.
“This decision was occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation.
“Treat this information as important and with the urgency it deserves, as it emanated from the ministry.”
He assured school administrators that further instructions would be issued as events unfold.
Governor Abdulrazaq Seeks Army Base, Police Squadron In Eruku
Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has announced plans to seek the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, following Tuesday night’s deadly bandit attack on a church.
The attack left three worshippers dead and over 35 abducted, sparking fear and outrage across the community.
During an on-the-spot assessment on Wednesday, Abdulrazaq revealed that he had spoken with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on urgent security reinforcement.
“We will speak with the GOC to see that we have a Forward Operating Base in Eruku to enhance security here and also talk to the Inspector General of Police about establishing a mobile squadron here,” he said.
The governor added, “It is indeed unfortunate what happened yesterday despite all the effort we have been making. Our main purpose here is to commiserate with the people of the community… The President had to cancel his trip to the G-20 because of this incident and that of Kebbi State. So the President is aware and we are on top of the situation.”
Residents Recount Horror Of Night Attack
For many residents, the attack was a night of terror marked by gunfire, panic, and unanswered cries for help.
One victim, Adesuyi Joshua, whose wife and granddaughter were among those abducted, described the ordeal to Punch, stating, “They took my wife and our granddaughter… along with about 30 other people. At first, we thought the gunshots were knockouts, but the sound changed. By the time we mobilised ourselves to confront the attackers, it was too late.”
He accused security agents of worsening the situation rather than offering support.
“We have soldiers around this place. We also have a police station, but nothing was done throughout the attack.
When we were pursuing the bandits, the police started shooting from their gate… They tear-gassed us and allowed the attackers to escape,” he alleged.
Another youth leader, Shola Peters, also criticised the police, accusing officers of abandoning the community despite benefiting from local support.
“These are the same police officers the town supported. We built houses for the DPO and the men. When we needed them most, they failed us,” he said.
He added that instead of joining the chase, the police stopped the youths, “The Inspector General needs to probe the Eruku division… All they do here is harass young boys and tag them as Yahoo boys or cultists. We don’t want them again. Let the government give us guns; we can protect ourselves.”
Despite being poorly armed, “a Dane gun and one pump-action,” Peters said, youths confronted the attackers, who wielded AK-49 rifles and machine guns.
Speaking earlier with Punch, the President Pastor of the attacked church, Pastor Lawrence Abiodun Bamidele, said the congregation was holding a thanksgiving service for 18 kidnapped residents freed last week when the bandits struck.
He said, “We are doing Thanksgiving service for the 18 people who were kidnapped three weeks ago, and all of them were rescued. We were thanking God for their safe return, not knowing that danger was lurking around.
“The incident happened unexpectedly and so fast. They came in and surrounded the church, shooting sporadically. Some who ran outside were shot from a tree, which one of the bandits climbed.
“In the pandemonium, three people died on the spot, and about 35 church members were kidnapped. We need government assistance. This attack is the first of its kind in Kwara State in a church.”
The Ekiti LGA Christian Association of Nigeria Coordinator, Pastor Kenneth Adigoke, expressed deep concern, warning that the attack could be interpreted as an assault on the Christian community.
Adigoke said, “This attack is just like a direct assault on the Christian community and the body of Christ.
“Look at the situation that happened yesterday, they entered the church and killed three people on the spot, and kidnapped about 35. If they said there is genocide against the church or the Christian community, it can be justified.
“People are not happy. We want the government to handle this insecurity issue dispassionately, and we believe that with prayers, the issue will be tackled.”
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