Vulnerable communities in Ekiti State have reached out to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urgently requesting assistance in light of a looming bandit attack.
The affected communities include Itapaji, Iyemero, Oke-Ako, Irele, Ijowa, and Ipao Ekiti, all situated in the Ekiti North Senatorial District, which has recently experienced numerous incidents of banditry and kidnappings.
The residents expressed their frustration over what they perceive as a troubling silence from the authorities regarding their dire situation.
In a collective petition, leaders from these communities voiced their dwindling patience and cautioned the government against pushing them to take matters into their own hands.
The representatives include Abimbola Omotoyinbo and Olubola Adeoye for Itapaji, Tosin Babalola and Chief Kehinde Abejide for Irele, Femi Bodunde for Oke-Ako, Joseph Osanipin for Iyemero, and Bayo Dada for Ipao.
They claimed that the extensive forest area connecting Ekiti to Kwara and Kogi has become a sanctuary for Fulani terrorists. Recently, a tragic incident occurred in which a middle-aged woman from the community was raped and killed, while her son was shot and is now receiving treatment for his injuries at Ikole General Hospital.
Chief Kehinde Akogun, a traditional war chief from one of the communities, stated that they do not engage in drug trafficking and had to pay a ransom to retrieve the woman’s body.
However, following this, the terrorists kidnapped four men and demanded two virgins as ransom for their release.
The communities reported that their traditional farmlands have been overrun by heavily armed Fulani men, who have warned them to vacate their ancestral lands.
They lamented, “We have been cut off from access to water and food. We cannot travel to the local government headquarters for medical care. We feel suffocated and desperate.”
In their letter, the communities expressed their fear of impending genocide, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji to intervene. They reported that the terrorists have stated their intention to “kill us in large numbers and seize our land.”
While the communities are prepared to defend their territory, they have chosen to remain peaceful in respect for the law and constitutional order.
They also criticized Senator Cyril Fasuyi and House of Representatives member Akin Rotimi for their lack of engagement, noting that both seem preoccupied with their re-election campaigns.
The letter concluded with a stark warning: “Our patience is running out. We believe the Nigerian authorities must prevent communities from resorting to self-defense. We do not want aid after we have suffered significant losses, nor do we seek condolences from politicians after the fact.”
In recent years, the communities have faced relentless attacks that have resulted in numerous fatalities. A few months ago, these assaults intensified, forcing many residents to flee.
However, many expressed that they have nowhere else to go and are left to live in constant fear.
Reports indicate that around 40 individuals are currently being held captive by terrorists, with many of them abducted from Ondo, Edo, Kogi, Ekiti, and Kwara States.
Community leaders have stated that thousands of locals live in uncertainty, waking up day and night without knowing when the attackers will strike.
Last Saturday, thousands of residents from Irele took to the streets to protest the takeover of their land by armed groups.
In addition to Ekamafa, neighboring communities such as Ogbe, Eruku, Koro, Ejuku, Ponyan, Oga, and Ogbom in Kogi and Kwara States are facing similar threats.
The communities expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Local Government Chairman and State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, hoping that the governor will take action before it is too late.
They called for the establishment of state and local government police, criticizing the current situation in which the Amotekun corps are not permitted to carry weapons that match the threats posed by terrorists.
“We are descendants of warriors. Our ancestors were fighters. We are also civilized individuals who believe in the rule of law, not the law of the jungle. Our patience is wearing thin. We do not believe the Nigerian authorities should allow communities to take up arms. We do not want to be left with nothing but condolences and visits from politicians after we have suffered significant losses,” they warned.
Meanwhile, Sunday Abutu, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, stated that he was unaware of the situation but assured that the command would look into the matter.
