Suspected terrorists have been distributing warning letters to various towns in Kwara State, suggesting that attacks may not be stopping anytime soon.
According to Saturday PUNCH, they had threatened to strike at any time in letters they wrote to four separate villages over the course of the previous six days.
According to information obtained by our correspondents, a letter was dropped on Thursday in Ira, a village in the Oyun Local Government Area that connects the towns of Inaja and Aho.
A few days after the February 3 attack on Woro town, which resulted in the deaths of over 176 people and the kidnapping of 38, the terrorists had already written a threat letter to the Dunshigogo community in Kaiama LGA.
After receiving a threat letter, residents leave.
Our correspondents learned that because of the threat letters sent by the alleged terrorists, inhabitants of Ira, Inaja, and Aho had begun to flee their houses.
It said, “The Nigeria Terrorist Association, or NTA, is the source of this message. Our motivation is to kill, abduct, and destroy. We are not afraid to demolish any town or location. Before we rade, we search and gather information. According to what we’ve heard, Ira is a strong town with plenty of strong men who are willing to take on our organization. Don’t worry about your oracle or power; we left Kaiama and moved to Ira, Inaja, Aho, and the surrounding towns. Be prepared for us at any time or date.
For accuracy, the letter’s content—including its syntax and structure—is preserved. Our correspondent has not confirmed the letter’s legitimacy.
Ira, a border town next to Ilemona, the Oyun LGA headquarters, is situated in a corridor that connects a number of rural communities that are deemed susceptible because of their closeness to forest belts.
The note was dropped at a motorcycle park next to the central mosque, according to an Ira traditional leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
The letter was viewed between 2:30 and 3 p.m. At the Okada Riders’ Park near Ira Central Mosque, two suspects on a bike dumped it. After reading it, the riders promptly brought it to the king’s palace, although at first they believed it was an error and kept it for the men.
Kabiyesi notified security officials as soon as he received the letter. DSS and police officers paid Inaja, Ira, and Aho a visit at approximately 5:00 p.m. The region is currently being patrolled by soldiers, police, and NSCDC staff,” he stated.
Despite the security presence, the chief continued, terror had taken hold of the neighborhoods, forcing some inhabitants to temporarily relocate.
“We are seeing something like this for the first time. People are scared. Since we don’t know what’s coming, some have departed for neighboring towns. At the moment, our vigilantes are training as forest guards in Ilorin. In order to confront this menace, we ask the government to let them go back home,” he stated.
The monarch requests help
According to Oba Wahab Oyetoro, the Oninaja of Inaja, the letter increased tension and prompted several locals to leave.
“As soon as the letter was discovered in Ira on Thursday, the chairman of the Oyun Local Government summoned a security meeting with all of the traditional rulers to update them and devise plans to safeguard our subjects and ourselves. Because of the Kaiama massacre, people are afraid. According to him, several locals have already fled the area to seek safety in Offa and other nearby settlements.
The monarch further mentioned that security personnel had started patrolling the communities with the help of vigilantes.
Yekini Olarewaju, the National Secretary of the Ira Descendants Union, discussed the issue and stated that the community had requested immediate assistance from the government and security forces.
He described the atmosphere in the village, saying that residents were overcome with panic and that their regular activities had been disrupted.
Panic is pervasive. People are scared. Those who were expected to visit their fields were unable to do so, particularly those who were collecting cashew. Today, neither elementary nor secondary schools were open. Businesses are shut down.
“We have asked the government for assistance. The entire region is now being patrolled by security forces like the Navy, police, civil defense, and troops based in the nearby community of Ilemona.
Additionally, our neighborhood vigilantes are not dozing off. Since then, they have been going through the nearby bushes,” he stated.
News of the letter traveled quickly on Thursday night, according to an Ira native who lives in Offa and spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Late on Thursday night, we learned of an odd letter, but we had no idea where it had come from. Actually, I was in Ira with a few others yesterday (Thursday) at around 3 p.m., and we didn’t hear anything.
My brother hurried from Ira to Offa to tell me at around ten o’clock at night. I was surprised. I began receiving calls from Lagos and even from outside the nation. Out of dread, one of my younger brothers asked me to move to Lagos, but I refused,” he continued.
The guy urged children to be vigilant and noted that many families had turned to prayer.
“All we need to do is pray. The neighborhood has already been rocked by the letter, but there is nowhere else for residents to go. Children are being cautioned by their parents not to walk around at night. We’ve sent a letter to the government asking for help,” he stated.
Police and DSS are on high alert.
Ejire Adetoun-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, attested to receiving the letter.
“Our intelligence team is looking into it right now to determine its authenticity and potential origin. To find the letter’s origin, we have stepped up patrols by sending out more officers and working with vigilantes. Anyone with helpful information is urged to report to the closest police division by Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo. He gives Kwara citizens and indigenous people confidence that the police would defend people and property,” she said.
The development was also confirmed by a senior DSS officer, who said, “We have received this letter, and we are working on it.”
The Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base in Ilemona has stepped up patrols throughout the villages under threat, according to a military source.
All security agencies are now on operational alert as a result of the information. “To review strategies and make sure there is no infiltration, meetings with local government authorities have been held,” the officer stated.
The chairman of LG calls an urgent meeting.
Akanbi Olarewaju, the chairman of Oyun LGA, called an urgent security meeting at the council office in Ilemona on Friday.
The purpose of the meeting, which was attended by traditional leaders, security agencies, and important stakeholders, was to discuss the risks.
“Although security agencies are still working to authenticate the source and credibility of the letter, the council considered it necessary to take proactive steps in the interest of public safety,” stated Owodunni Adekunle, the chairman’s chief press secretary.
Not just in Ira and Aho/Inaja, but throughout the entire Oyun Local Government, we implore our people to maintain their composure, exercise caution, and report any suspicious activity or new faces. To stop crime and potential security breaches, community policing and prompt information exchange are still essential.
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