Fresh Bandit Attack Rocks Kwara Community Days After Eruku Church Massacre
Just days after the deadly attack on a church in Eruku, Kwara state that left multiple worshippers dead and several others kidnapped, bandits have struck again in a nearby community. The new attack occurred in Isapa, located merely 20 minutes driving distance from the scene of the previous church massacre.
Social Media User Exposes Bandit Movements
A Nigerian man using the X (formerly Twitter) handle @TheYemiKing brought attention to the concerning pattern of attacks. In a viral post, he revealed the proximity between the two attack locations and raised critical questions about the government's response strategy.
"Isapa is 20 minutes from Eruku by driving. If the bandits weren't rewarded for the Eruku abductions, they wouldn't have gone to Isapa," the social media user stated emphatically.
He further questioned government approaches to handling the security crisis, asking: "What you reward becomes culture. When will the government consider mercenaries instead of paying ransoms?"
Details of the Isapa Attack Emerge
According to multiple news reports including Vanguard, bandits stormed Isapa community on Tuesday, unleashing violence on residents. The attack resulted in a pregnant woman being shot alongside several other individuals who sustained gunshot wounds.
Most disturbingly, approximately 10 people were kidnapped during the fresh assault, adding to the growing number of abduction cases in the region. The incident has sparked widespread concern among locals and online communities about the escalating security situation in Kwara state.
Public Outrage Grows Over Government Response
The consecutive attacks have triggered angry reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms. Many citizens expressed frustration with what they perceive as inadequate government action to address the security challenges.
One user, @Eyanolowo1, commented: "Tinubu is desperate to look effective in the fight against Terrorism. I blame the governor sha. Man is so Unbothered or he acts Unbothered."
Another concerned citizen, @OlaOfIkeja1, added: "This is getting out of hand, my state is becoming a mess and the most annoying part is it takes the government days to act or even say anything."
The sentiment of despair was echoed by @_Ikechs_, who noted: "Kwara State is gradually going down, this is disheartening. I can't remember the last time I traveled to my hometown in Kwara North. It's really painful."
Some comments took ethnic dimensions, with @Davidben402 controversially stating: "Wetin concern Yoruba's with Kwara? Is Kwara no longer Fulani territory? Afonja lost Kwara to Fulani, a coward."
Background: The Eruku Church Attack
The recent violence follows the tragic attack on a church in Eruku, Kwara state, where bandits stormed a Sunday service, killing several worshippers and abducting numerous others. The incident had already put security forces on high alert in the region.
A nursing student from Kwara State College of Nursing had previously gone viral after sharing her terrifying experience during the Eruku church attack. In an emotional video posted on TikTok, she described how gunshots erupted outside the church shortly after the service began.
The state government had initially taken steps to secure the release of kidnapped victims from the Eruku incident, but the latest attack in Isapa suggests bandits are becoming increasingly emboldened in their operations.
As security challenges continue to mount in Kwara state, residents are calling for more decisive action from both state and federal authorities to protect communities and prevent further loss of life and kidnappings in the region.
