Youths in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, of Kwara state today staged a major following a late-night attack on the community by armed bandits.

The protesters blocked the Ilorin–Kabba highway at the entrance of the town, causing heavy traffic disruption.

According to the youths, Tuesday’s attack, which lasted close to an hour, occurred without any response from security operatives stationed in the community.

One of the protesters, Timothy Joshua, who said his wife and granddaughter were among those abducted in a church during the attack, accused the police of failing to intervene.

He alleged that attempts by community youths to chase the attackers were met with tear gas from police personnel, allowing the bandits to escape.

A youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, also criticised the police, saying despite the community’s support in building facilities for the division, officers did not act when residents needed them most.

Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo who visited the town in company with the State Director of the Department of State Services.

He assured residents that additional personnel and an Armoured Personnel Carrier would be deployed to boost security in the area.

The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Busari Arinde Oyediran Olanrewaju, appealed to the youths to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.