Residents of Eruku community in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State erupted in anger on Wednesday, blocking the Ilorin–Kabba highway to protest a deadly bandit attack that left several people dead and others abducted. The highway, a major interstate route connecting North Central and South West Nigeria, was brought to a standstill as youths demanded urgent government action.
The tension followed a violent assault on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, during a service on Tuesday evening. Armed bandits invaded the church, killing at least one vigilante member and abducting multiple worshippers. Reports indicate the attackers later returned to the community, heightening fear and panic among residents. Video footage of the attack, captured during a live stream, further intensified public outrage.
The blockade was triggered by mounting frustration over what residents describe as persistent government inaction. The youths insisted that both state and federal authorities must immediately provide adequate security for the area and secure the highway, which has become notorious for kidnappings.
The road closure caused heavy traffic gridlock, leaving commuters and commercial drivers stranded for hours. Economic activities along the corridor were severely disrupted, reflecting the larger consequences of deteriorating security in North Central Nigeria.
The protest underscores the rising wave of community-led demonstrations as citizens increasingly lose confidence in traditional security structures. Despite the presence of a police division and a nearby military base, residents argue that bandits continue to operate with alarming freedom. Without a decisive and sustained security response, similar protests and disruptions may continue across the region.
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