THIS DAWN — Vigilante forces in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have successfully apprehended the bandits responsible for the recent violent attack on the community, particularly the raid on a Christ Apostolic Church caught live on the internet, that claimed two lives.
The arrest followed an intense pursuit marked by ambushes, casualties, and strategic counter-operations.
According to community security sources, the breakthrough came after the bandits attempted to move their wounded members out of the area.
The bandits, however, were unaware that vigilantes had already sealed off every route leading into and out of the town.
The development follows a deadly confrontation earlier in the week, during which the bandits laid a surprise ambush for the Eruku vigilantes.
The clash resulted in the loss of two vigilante members whose bodies are yet to be recovered.
Despite the setback, the vigilantes regrouped, reinforced their ranks, and launched a coordinated search across the forests surrounding the town.
Local security operatives said the bandits, suffering heavy injuries from earlier engagements, tried to sneak back toward the outskirts of the town—possibly in search of medical help or an escape route.
Unknown to them, the vigilantes had already mounted ambush positions on all access roads as part of a sweeping containment strategy.
“The bandits were trying to evacuate their wounded men when our men intercepted them.
“All escape paths were blocked. They walked straight into our trap,” a senior vigilante told reporters.
Bandits in custody
The suspects were reportedly taken into custody with no further casualties recorded.
This marked a significant morale boost for the community still reeling from recent violent incidents across the region.
Residents of Eruku praised the vigilance, persistence, and tactical coordination of the local security network.
They noted that their resilience prevented what could have escalated into another devastating attack on the town.
Community leaders have called on the Kwara State Government and federal security agencies to reinforce local efforts.
They emphasized that rural communities remain vulnerable without permanent security deployments.
They also renewed appeals for the recovery of the bodies of the two fallen vigilantes, who are being hailed as heroes.
As investigations proceed, Eruku joins a growing list of communities relying on civilian security structures to fill critical gaps in Nigeria’s overstretched security architecture, even as banditry and insurgent violence continue to escalate across the northern belt.
