*Council Chairman Summons Emergency Meeting, Assures Residents Of Safety
THERE was palpable tension in Ira and neighbouring communities in Oyun Local Council of Kwara State on Friday, February 13, as residents were forced to leave in droves for fear of being killed, like happened in Woro, Kaima Local Council a few days ago.
This followed the circulation of letters allegedly written by Boko Haram terrorists, warning communities of impending attacks on parts of the area.
It was gathered that in the last six days, the terrorists had sent letters to four different communities, threatening to strike at any time.
On Thursday, February 12, a letter was dropped in Ira, a community linking Inaja and Aho towns, after an earlier letter to Dunshigogo community in Kaiama Local Council, a few days after the February 3 attack on Woro town that claimed over 176 lives, with about 38 abducted.
One of the badly-written letters, signed by “The Writer (SANUFH),” the authenticity of which could not be immediately ascertained, read:“This message is from Nigeria Terrorist Association, NTA. Our motor: we kill, we kidnapping and destroying. No town or place that is scared us to destroy… We search and gaddering information before we rade.
“We heared about this town Ira, you people strong, and have many powerful man to face our organisation. Be ready for us at any time any date, noting concern us about your oracle or powerful we left Kaiama, we move to Ira, Inaja, Aho and town around.”
Due to the prevailing situation, the Chairman of Oyun Local Council of Kwara State, Akanbi Olarewaju, on Friday, February 13, summoned an emergency security meeting at the secretariat in Ilemona, attended by security agencies, traditional rulers and key stakeholders, to address the threats.
Olarewaju, in a statement by his media aide, Owodunni Adekunle, said: “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.
“We urge our people to remain calm, vigilant and report any strange movement or unfamiliar faces, not only in Ira and Aho/Inaja, but across the entire Oyun Local Government.
“Community policing and timely information-sharing remain critical to preventing crime and averting possible security breaches.”
He confirmed that “the council received reports of a letter purportedly written by unknown individuals, claiming they had relocated from Kaiama Local Government and were planning attacks on the Irra and Aho/Inaja axis.” He noted that although the council was still working with security agencies to authenticate the source and credibility of the letter, the council considered it necessary to act proactively in the interest of public safety.
“We urge our people to remain calm, vigilant and to promptly report any strange movement or unfamiliar faces, not only in Irra and Aho/Inaja, but across the entire Oyun Local Government,” he added.
The council chief urged stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions and community leaders to ensure law and order are maintained across the local government, stressing that community policing and timely information-sharing remain key to preventing crime.
He assured residents that the council would continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the local government.
A community leader in Ira, a border town adjoining Ilemona, headquarters of Oyun Council, is a link with several vulnerable rural settlements close to forests, told Punch that the letter was dropped at a motorcycle park near the central mosque.
According to him: “The letter was seen around 2:30pm to 3pm. Two suspects on a bike dropped it at the okada riders’ park close to Ira Central Mosque.
“Initially, the riders thought it was a mistake and kept it for the men, but after reading it, they quickly took it to the king’s palace.
“Once the letter reached Kabiyesi, he informed security agencies. Around 5pm, DSS and Police officers visited Inaja, Ira and Aho. Soldiers, Police and NSCDC personnel are now patrolling the area.”
He stated that despite the presence of these security personnel, fear still pervaded the communities, with many resident relocating temporarily, adding: “This is the first time we are witnessing something like this. People are afraid; some have left for nearby towns, because we don’t know what is coming.
“Our vigilantes are currently in Ilorin for forest guard training. We want the government to release them to return home to address this threat.”
The Oninaja of Inaja, Oba Wahab Oyetoro, told Punch that the letter heightened tension and forced some residents to flee, noting: “The letter was found in Ira on Thursday, and Oyun Local Government chairman immediately called a security meeting of all traditional rulers to inform them and map out strategies to protect ourselves and our subjects.
“People are scared because of the massacre in Kaiama. Some residents have already left town to seek refuge in Offa and other neighbouring communities.”
National Secretary of the Ira Descendants Union, Yekini Olarewaju, said the community had contacted the government and security agencies for urgent intervention, saying fear had gripped residents and disrupted normal activities.
“There is panic everywhere. People are afraid. Those who were supposed to go to their farms, especially those harvesting cashew, could not go. All schools, including primary and secondary, did not open today. People shut down their businesses.
“We have sought the help of the government. Security agencies, such as the Navy, civil defence, Police, as well as soldiers, stationed in Ilemona, a neighbouring community, have started patrolling the entire area.
“Our local vigilantes are also not sleeping; they have been combing the surrounding bushes since then.”
An indigene of Ira who resides in Offa, added: “We received the news about a strange letter late on Thursday night, but we didn’t even know where it came from. In fact, some people and I were in Ira around 3pm on Thursday and heard nothing.
“It was around 10pm that my brother rushed from Ira to Offa to inform me. I was shocked. People from Lagos and even outside the country started calling me. One of my younger brothers, out of fear, asked me to relocate to Lagos, but I insisted on staying.
“We just have to be prayerful. The letter has already sent shockwaves through the community, but people have nowhere else to go.
“Parents are warning their children not to move around at night. We have written to the government requesting assistance.”
Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Ejire Adetoun-Adeyemi, while confirming the situation, said: “Our intelligence unit is currently investigating to ascertain its veracity and possible source. We have intensified patrols by deploying additional personnel, in collaboration with vigilantes, to identify the source of the letter.
“The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, has implored anyone with useful information to report to the nearest Police division. He assures indigenes and residents of Kwara of the police resolve to protect lives and property.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) also confirmed receit of the letter, saying it was already working on it.
An officer at the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base in Ilemona said the information has put all security agencies on operational alert, while meetings with local government authorities had been held to review strategies and stem infiltration.
