Suspected terrorists have become more bold and confident as days go by, distributing warning letters to various towns in Kwara State, suggesting that attacks may not be stopping anytime soon.
It was gathered that in the last six days, they had sent letters to four different communities, threatening to strike at any time.
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.
Residents flee after threat letter
According to findings by sources, residents of Ira, Inaja and Aho had started leaving their homes over the threat letters by the suspected terrorists.
A copy of one of the letters was signed by “The Writer (SANUFH).”
It 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.”
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 terrorists note was dropped at a motorbike park next to the central mosque, according to an Ira traditional leader who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
Despite the security presence, the chief continued, terror had taken hold of the neighbourhoods, forcing some inhabitants to temporarily relocate.
Monarch seeks intervention
The Oninaja of Inaja, Oba Wahab Oyetoro, told PUNCH that the letter heightened tension and forced some residents to flee.
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.
Police, DSS on red alert
Meanwhile, Ejire Adetoun-Adeyemi, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, attested to receiving the terrorists warning letter.
Similarly, a senior DSS officer confirmed the development, stating, “We have received this letter, and we are working on it.”
A military source said the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base in Ilemona had increased patrols across the threatened communities.
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