A community leader in Eruku, Kwara State, Shola Daniel, says the deployment of military personnel to the area has done little to stem recurring attacks.

Eruku has come under repeated assaults in recent weeks, including the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in which about 38 worshippers were abducted. Subsequent incidents have continued to fuel fear among residents.

Speaking during a live television interview today, Daniel said many in the community still feel unsafe despite the military presence.

“I must be frank with you, the presence of the military in the community right now has not made much difference because, on a daily basis, farmers still have to go to their farms,” he said.

He added that the troops currently stationed in the area do not have orders to advance into the surrounding bushes where bandits operate, raising concerns about their ability to deter attacks.

“In a situation like this, the fear of the unknown makes things very difficult for farmers. The military personnel told us they have not been asked to go into the bush, and even if they were, how many farmers could they escort? How well-armed could they be to confront bandits who are heavily armed?” he asked.

Daniel also cited recent incidents following the church attack, including the abduction of farmers and threats to traditional rulers.

“Just three or four days ago, it was reported that some farmers were attacked on their farms. Some escaped, but one person, to the best of my knowledge, is still unaccounted for,” he said.

He acknowledged some level of government intervention, noting that it has brought minimal relief.

“We can call it palliative, because by January farmers will start harvesting cashew, grown on very large farms in our area,” he explained, adding that some of the farms lie about three kilometres from the community.

“For any farmer to go alone to the farm is to risk his or her life. These are ongoing problems that are very difficult to address,” Daniel said.