Residents flee Kwara communities after terrorists threaten fresh attacks in viral letter

Scores of residents have started fleeing Ira, Inaja and Aho communities in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State after suspected Boko Haram terrorists allegedly threatened rounds of fresh attacks in a viral letter.

The letter, which was allegedly issued by a group of terrorists calling themselves Nigeria Terrorist Association (NTA), had been making rounds on the social media after being discovered at Ira Market in Oyun LGA on Thursday.

While the letter has not been officially authenticated, the suspected terrorists threatened to launch fresh attacks on the communities, a development that has thrown residents into panic.

Residents, who anonymously spoke to Peoples Gazette on Saturday, said many of them have started leaving the communities in search of safety elsewhere.

“While we’re not sure of who and when the attacks would take, it is only sensible and safe to run for safety,” a resident told The Gazette on the phone. “I have concluded the plans to leave my community (Ira) now. So are my family members. The community had not been the same since Thursday.”

Another resident, who stated that they had not been at ease since the letter became public, noted that the development had forced many of them to leave far away from where they could be attacked or targeted.

“The letter has created fear among the community members and no one would watch or allow themselves to be kidnapped or killed,” the resident said. “As I speak to you, I am far away from my community. The news everywhere is disturbing.”

The latest development came days after Boko Haram terrorists invaded Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama LGA of the state, killing hundreds of innocent residents while kidnapping several others.

Meanwhile, security agencies, including the police, State Security Service, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have intensified patrols across the threatened communities.

Police spokesperson in Kwara, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, who confirmed the receipt of the letter, said the command investigation is ongoing to ascertain the veracity as well as the source of the letter.

“Our intelligence unit is investigating to ascertain its veracity and possible source,” Ms Ejire-Adeyemi said. “Additional personnel have been deployed in collaboration with vigilantes to ensure safety of residents.”

Oyun LGA chairman, Akanbi Olarewaju, also urged residents to be calm and vigilant, adding they should report any suspicious activity or movement to the security agencies.