The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools across four Local Government Areas due to rising insecurity in the affected regions.
The directive was communicated through the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State Wing. In an internal circular, the NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola, announced that all schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs must suspend academic activities until further notice.
According to the union, the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development instructed the shutdown after raising alarm over fresh security threats across Kwara South.
The circular urged school administrators to treat the instruction with utmost urgency, adding that further updates would be provided as the situation develops.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited Eruku in Ekiti LGA following a deadly bandit attack on a church that claimed the lives of three worshippers and left over 35 residents abducted. He revealed that discussions were ongoing with military and police authorities to establish a Forward Operating Base and a Mobile Police Squadron in the area.
Residents, however, described a night filled with terror and helplessness.
Adesuyi Joshua, whose wife and granddaughter were among those abducted, recounted how worshippers initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks, only to realise too late they were under attack. He accused security operatives of failing the community during the incident.
Another youth leader, Shola Peters, criticised the police for allegedly preventing residents from defending themselves and for ignoring repeated cries for help. He called for an investigation into the conduct of officers in the area.
Leaders of the attacked church said the congregation was holding a thanksgiving service for recently rescued kidnap victims when the gunmen struck. The Christian community in Ekiti LGA expressed fear that the incident could be interpreted as a direct attack on their faith.
Angry youths later blocked the Ilorin–Kabba Expressway in protest, accusing security agencies of abandoning them. Bonfires and barricades left several vehicles stranded for hours.
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Security officials who arrived in the area promised swift action, with the Commissioner of Police announcing the deployment of additional personnel and a permanent Armoured Personnel Carrier.
Traditional ruler Oba Busari Arinde Oyediran expressed frustration, saying Eruku had suffered repeated attacks for months, forcing farmers and teachers to flee. He added that residents often contributed money to secure the release of kidnapped victims due to the slow response of authorities.
The situation highlights a broader wave of violence spreading across Kwara’s border communities, areas increasingly exploited by bandits fleeing military operations in neighbouring states.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s push for new military formations in Eruku marks one of the government’s strongest steps yet toward strengthening security in the vulnerable region.
